Man charged with forcing NY airliner to divert to Boston is ordered to have mental health exam

Associated Press
06/20/09 8:00 PM EDT

BOSTON — An Israeli man accused of rushing the cockpit of an airliner, forcing it to land in Boston, has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation at a hospital.

Itay Atmor (EE'-tay AT'-mor) was arraigned Monday in East Boston District Court and pleaded not guilty to a charge of interfering with a flight crew.

Massachusetts State Police say the 22-year-old Medford resident tried to get through the cockpit door on a Delta flight from New York to Tel Aviv, Israel, late Friday. Passengers say they subdued Atmor, who was arrested when the plane landed.

Atmor told police he was having a panic attack. Defense lawyer David Meier says Atmor was flying to Israel for psychiatric help.

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Inc. says the flight had 206 passengers and 11 crew members aboard.

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