Published on : Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Hawaiian Airlines said 12 passengers and three flight attendants on the plane were treated for respiratory issues at the airport in Kahului, Hawaii.
A passenger illegally brought the pepper spray on the plane carrying 256 passengers and 10 crew members, but it appears it discharged accidentally.
The airline could not provide any details about the passenger or why officials believe the release was accidental.
Flight attendants told the affected passengers to move to the back of the plane where the air wasn’t bothering people. He said about 40 people stood in the back galley for about half an hour until the air around their seats improved.
Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said in an email that her agency and Maui police were investigating.
She said the canister held about 42 grams. The fine for bringing pepper spray onto an airplane can reach $2725 or higher, Ms Farbstein said.
The flight crew of the Boeing 767 declared an emergency to get priority to land at the airport in Hawaii on Friday.
Tags: hawaii, hawaiian airlines, Pepper spray