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FBI: Queens Man Punched Flight Attendant, Threatened To Blow Up Plane

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Queens man has been charged after he allegedly punched a flight attendant and threatened to blow up the plane during a flight from New York City to South Florida.

A flight attendant for JetBlue Airways told the FBI he saw Alija Kucuk, 29, run down the aisle and push two other flight attendants out of the way.

The flight attendant said he tried to calm the man down, but then Kucuk pushed him into a door and punched him in the face.

According to an FBI report, Kucuk used verbal epithets and racial slurs and threatened to blow up the plane during the incident.

Kucuk, of Middle Village, was charged with interfering with a flight attendant and threatening to destroy an aircraft.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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