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Passenger Accused Of Shoving Flight Attendant

MIAMI (CBS4) - Federal authorities escorted an American Airlines passenger off a plane at Miami International Airport Tuesday night after the man reportedly poked and shoved a flight attendant.

It happened on Flight 982 which departed Guatemala bound for Miami.

During the flight American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith said the passenger, who was in first class, became involved in a verbal disagreement with a flight attendant.

Smith said the flight attendant asked the passenger to sit down and the passenger refused. The passenger then followed the flight attendant into the forward galley where he allegedly pushed flight attendant.

At that the pilot put the plane on lockdown and asked all of the passengers to return to their seats. The passenger eventually complied with the pilot's order.

"While you're on their airplane, they have control, the pilots and the flight attendants they have control and you need to follow their instructions, that's why they're there," said Wayne Butler.

The American Airlines flight landed safely and the passenger was met by TSA, Miami-Dade Police and Immigrations and Custom's Enforcement. He was then turned over to the FBI which will handle the investigation.

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