American Airlines Mechanic From Tracy Accused By FBI Of Sabotaging Flight In Miami
MIAMI (CBS13) – A mechanic for American Airlines is facing serious charges after authorities said he attempted to sabotage a plane during a contract dispute back in July.
Authorities say Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani, identified by the FBI as a 60-year-old Tracy resident, is accused of tampering with a crucial navigation system on a jet at Miami International Airport. According to the criminal complaint, Alani allegedly tried to disable the plane's air data module.
READ: Full Criminal Complaint Against Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani
The complaint says he was upset over contract negotiations between the union workers and American Airlines, and this dispute affected him financially.
Alani says he hoped "to cause a delay or have the flight canceled in anticipation of obtaining overtime work."
Now he's charged with willfully damaging, destroying or disabling an aircraft
The plane was about to fly 150 people to the Bahamas, but the flight was aborted when pilots noticed alarms going off.
Alani, who was arrested on Thursday, told investigators he was upset about contract talks between the airline and the mechanics union. He's expected to be in federal court in Florida on Friday.
Friday, leaders with American Airlines are responding to the July incident, calling it "disturbing and disappointing to all of us."
They also say since the time of the incident they "have promising developments on the negotiations front."
Read more at CBSMiami.com.
