You never expect midair madness like this. A Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany turned into pure chaos when a passenger snapped mid-flight and attacked two teenage boys. And, he allegedly used nothing but a metal fork from meal service. Authorities say 28-year-old Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, an Indian national without legal status in the U.S., is now facing charges after forcing an emergency diversion to Boston.
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Panic Erupts Midair After Shocking Fork Attack
According to prosecutors, the terrifying incident happened on Oct. 25 aboard Lufthansa Flight 431, just after meal service. One of the teens, a 17-year-old passenger, was asleep in his seat and woke up to Usiripalli standing over him. In a shocking turn of events, Usiripalli then stabbed him in the shoulder with a metal fork. Moments later, Usiripalli seemingly turned on another 17-year-old, stabbing him in the back of the head and leaving a laceration.
Crew And Passengers Unite Amid Sky-High Chaos
As passengers screamed and flight attendants rushed in to help, things only got stranger. Prosecutors say Usiripalli pretended to put a gun in his mouth using his fingers and “pulled the trigger.” He allegedly slapped a woman sitting nearby and tried to hit a flight attendant before being restrained. The pilot made the decision to divert the plane to Boston’s Logan International Airport, where federal authorities were waiting on the tarmac. And because the flight couldn’t continue its journey, the German airline arranged hotel accommodations for passengers and worked quickly to rebook them on new flights.
“We sincerely regret the inconvenience this situation has caused and appreciate our passengers’ patience and understanding,” the airline shared. “The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew are always Lufthansa’s highest priority.”
What Do We Know About Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli?
Officials say Usiripalli previously lived in the U.S. on a student visa while studying for a master’s degree in biblical studies. However, his legal status had expired at the time of the incident. He now faces one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm — a federal offense. Authorities have not released a motive, and Lufthansa has yet to comment on the shocking midair attack that left passengers terrified and two teens injured.
