Flight forced to land after man bangs on cockpit door, claims to be alien, want to fly plane

Passenger disruption forces flight diversion

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — A SkyWest Airlines flight from Helena, Mont., to Salt Lake City was diverted to Idaho Falls after a passenger began banging on the cockpit door, saying he was a space alien and wanted to fly the plane.

Idaho Falls Police Sgt. Phil Grimes says other passengers on the Sunday evening flight helped restrain 32-year-old Matthew Kleindorfer of Las Vegas. The plane landed just before 6 p.m.

Kleindorfer faces misdemeanor counts of disturbing the peace and resisting arrest and a felony count of battery of an officer.