American Airlines flight diverted to Phoenix after passengers fight over racial slur
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- Flight 776 between Dallas-Fort Worth and Los Angeles had to be diverted to Phoenix.
- Kelly Pichardo, 30, and Leeza Rodriguez, 29, were asked to stop using a slur by another passenger.
- Both women were charged with disorderly conduct and Pichardo also faced an additional assault charge.
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An American Airlines flight was diverted after two women got into a fight with another passenger over their use of a racial slur.
Flight 776 between Dallas-Fort Worth Airport and Los Angeles had to be diverted to Phoenix on Wednesday due to the incident.
Kelly Pichardo, 30, and Leeza Rodriguez, 29, were asked to stop using the term by another passenger, according to Phoenix Police.
In a statement seen by NBC News, Sgt. Mercedes Fortune of Phoenix Police said: Kelly Pichardo became upset and allegedly spat at the male passenger who had asked her to stop using that language,"
"The male passenger then began to record the two women and that is when Leeza Rodriguez struck the man's hand to keep him from recording the incident."
Both women were charged with disorderly conduct upon landing at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, where Pichardo also faced an additional charge of assault, the Arizona Republic reported.
American Airlines spokesman Derek Walls told the Arizona Republic: "Their behavior was disturbing and unacceptable, and they have been placed on our internal refuse list pending further investigation."
"We continue to investigate this incident and are working directly with impacted customers to ensure their well-being. We thank our crew members for their professionalism in managing a difficult situation."
The flight continued onto California without any further issues.