Shahsavari Deemed Competent to Stand Trial in Southwest Airlines Disturbance Charges

A Florida man who was allegedly responsible for the grounding of a Southwest Airlines Flight last year has been deemed competent to stand trial by an Amarillo Judge.

Ali Reza Shahsavari was charged with interfering with a flight crew after screaming profanities and damaging a bathroom on a Southwest Airlines flight from L.A. to Kansas City, Missouri in October. The outburst forced the plane to land in Amarillo, where Shahsavari was taken into custody without incident.

Shahsavari was deemed to have "a factual and rational understanding of the charges and proceedings against him" and "has sufficient present mental capacity" to assist his attorney in his defense. He plead not guilty to the charges in late October. A trial date has yet to be set.