A claustrophobic aircraft passenger consumed liquor with a tranquilliser before causing mayhem on an South African Airways flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town, the Bellville Magistrate’s Court heard on Friday.
Defence counsel Charles Simon told the court his client, Colin Barnett (29) of Milnerton near Cape Town, consumed the liquor and tranquilliser because of his fear of flying.
Barnett has pleaded not guilty before magistrate Suzette Marais to a charge framed under the Aviation Act.
The alleged incident happened on the night of February 13, on flight SAA 363, a Boeing 737, carrying about 100 passengers. Flight safety officer Nicholas Coetzee told the court passengers had complained about Barnett’s behaviour after he had ”howled like a wolf” and banged on the backrest of the passenger in front of him. The incident happened as the plane was preparing to land, he said.
Coetzee said he informed Barnett his behaviour endangered the lives of other passengers and warned him he would be locked up if he persisted.
Coetzee added: ”He had a strange grin, and looked at me with an evil expression as if he were under the influence of liquor or narcotics.
”He mumbled but didn’t not know what he was saying, and looked like he didn’t know what he was doing either.”
At one stage, Barnett threatened to punch Coetzee.
”If I am injured, I cannot do my job as the safety officer,” he said.
Coetzee said he gave instructions that no more liquor be served to Barnett, and reported the incident to the flight commander. He said he was shocked at Barnett’s behaviour, and had never experienced anything like it in his 23 years of service with the SAA.
Coetzee said he was unable to ”get through” to Barnett, ”and each time I spoke to him he had a silly grin on his face”.
As the flight commander tried to explain to Barnett why he was being arrested, Barnett kept saying: ”I don’t understand a fucking word.”
The hearing continues on August 26. – Sapa