Belgian National Charged with Attempting to Breach Cockpit and Assaulting Flight Crew Members on March 2024 Flight

NEWARK, N.J. – A Belgian national was arrested today for attempting to breach the cockpit and assaulting flight attendants aboard flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to Zurich, Switzerland, in March 2024, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced.

Jan Daeninck, 43, of Belgium, is charged by complaint with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault and intimidation, one count of assault, and one count of abusive sexual contact on an airplane. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On March 31, 2024, Daeninck was a passenger aboard a Swiss International Airlines flight from Newark to Zurich. Shortly after takeoff, Daeninck walked up to a female flight attendant, grabbed both of her breasts with his hands, shook her, and began yelling at her. After the flight attendant was able to wrest herself away from Daeninck, he then approached and attempted to enter the cockpit, repeatedly striking, kicking and beating the cockpit door. While Daeninck was attempting to gain entrance to the cockpit, a male flight attendant approached Daeninck. After repeatedly striking, punching, and kicking the cockpit door and failing to gain entry to the cockpit, Daeninck assaulted the male flight attendant by repeatedly punching and kicking the flight attendant, striking him in head and upper body with a closed fist. Flight crew members were able to intervene and assist with restraining Daeninck on the floor in the vicinity of the cockpit door for the remainder of the flight. As a result of Daeninck’s actions, the flight turned around and landed back at Newark Liberty International Airport.

The charge of interfering with flight crew members and attendants carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The charge of assault by beating or striking carries a maximum punishment of one year in prison and a maximum fine of $100,000. The charge of abusive sexual contact carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charge. He also thanked the Port Authority Police Department, under the direction of Edward T. Cetnar, for its assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle L. Goldman of the Office’s General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.