THUNDER BAY - A southern Ontario man who forced a passenger flight to make an emergency landing in Thunder Bay has been granted release from custody after his arrest on Sunday night.
Mark Dehal, 47, appeared by audio in a Thunder Bay courtroom and was officially charged with mischief over $5,000, smoking onboard an aircraft and causing a disturbance while flying.
Dehal was granted release from custody with conditions. Before he can be released, he must pay $2,000 in cash and reside in Hamilton. Dehal is also not permitted to be on any commercial flight, as per his release conditions.
Thunder Bay police were dispatched to the Thunder Bay International Airport just before 9:30 p.m. on Sunday night, July 19, following a request to remove a passenger from a flight.
Police learned the Swoop Airlines flight was en route to Hamilton from Edmonton before it was forced to make an emergency landing in the city.
According to the police, a smoke alarm was triggered from the aircraft’s lavatory and when flight crew members responded to the alarm they witnessed a man exiting and returning to his seat. The flight crew also observed evidence the male had been smoking in the lavatory.
Police say the same individual caused a disturbance on the flight by swearing and insulting the flight crew.
The man was eventually removed from the plane so the flight could continue to its destination.
Dehal’s next court appearance is scheduled for October.
