New York man charged with trying to open plane door during flight that was diverted to Denver

Man accused of trying to open plane’s door charged

DENVER — Federal prosecutors on Wednesday charged a New York man accused of trying to open a commercial airplane’s exterior door during a flight from Washington, D.C., to Las Vegas.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Colorado said Gregory Thomas Burns, 33, told investigators he thought he was on the wrong airplane and that he thought it was grounded when he tried to open the door Saturday.

Burns, of Sydney Center, N.Y., faces federal charges of interfering with a flight crew. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The United Airlines jetliner was diverted to Denver International Airport and authorities released Burns after questioning him and determining he wasn’t part of a terrorism plot.

Investigators said Burns had drank multiple beers and gin drinks before and during the flight and that he also had taken some tranquilizer pills.

They said some passengers restrained Burns after he allegedly tried to open the door. A flight attendant then had Burns sit near other male passengers during the remainder of the flight and gave one of them a wine bottle for protection, prosecutors said.

Burns underwent a medical evaluation after authorities questioned him.

He was arrested Wednesday morning at a Denver hospital after prosecutors filed a complaint. He was expected to appear before a federal magistrate in Denver for a bail and preliminary hearing Friday. A grand jury indictment is expected if the case proceeds.