Flight attendant accused of starting fire on American Airlines plane
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}U.S. Airways and American Airlines planes are shown at gates at DFW International Airport in Grapevine, Texas. (AP)
An American Airlines flight attendant is facing charges that allege he started a fire in an airplane bathroom as the flight from Dallas approached Detroit.
The FBI says no one was injured during the Feb. 1 incident aboard flight 1418. The plane safely landed at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
In a criminal complaint filed Tuesday, the FBI says Johnathan Tafoya-Montano admitted setting paper towels on fire with a lighter. The FBI says he immediately put out the fire, exited the bathroom and returned with a fire extinguisher to take care of any smoldering towels.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The FBI says Tafoya-Montano admitted his role this week, a month after his initial interview.
He's charged with setting a fire and making false statements. A message seeking comment from his lawyer wasn't immediately returned Wednesday.