A drunken California man was detained by U.S. air marshals on Tuesday after allegedly groping three women on a London-bound flight, ABCNews.com reported.
Robert John Coppack, 40, will remain in custody until his scheduled federal court appearance on Monday.
The US Air Flight 728 departed from Philadelphia around 10:20 p.m. As the plane flew over Massachusetts, pilots were forced to turn back around after Coppack began starting trouble.
Two female passengers complained to the flight crew that Coppack was disturbing them on the flight, prompting attendants to change his seat. As he walked down the aisle, he then groped a retired flight attendant, the FBI affidavit said.
Officials also claim that Coppack, who told passengers he had been drinking vodka, was being aggressive and verbally abusive. After being detained by an air marshal, he was charged with intimidating the crew and interfering with their work.
"The passenger was restrained onboard by federal officials and removed from the flight on return to Philadelphia," a US Airways statement said.
The plane arrived at Heathrow Airport in London nearly four hours late, according to airline spokeswoman Michelle Mohr.
Coppack's public defender and relatives did not return calls from ABC News to comment.
Some passengers on the plane took to Twitter after the odd incident occurred.
"Strange experience on @USAirways tonight. Flight turned around after an hour to remove an unruly passenger. Air marshalls swooped in," Gene Willis tweeted.
Another flyer expressed her frustration.
"Left #philadelphia at 10pm for London... Moron decides to be a nuisance..... 1am land back in Philly! #fml," Ashley James tweeted.
