Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Type 556
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Diverted; General Police / Security Involved
Human Factors
Near the end of boarding as I was preparing to make my welcome aboard Public Announcement; my lead flight attendant told me a male passenger had asked her out in front of the passenger's girlfriend. At the time; I thought it was odd and off-color but not disruptive or disorderly. We took off and shortly after climb out; the flight attendants called up and said this same passenger had exchanged seats with his girlfriend; who was sitting in first class. They said he was sleeping and not causing any other problems; so I thought his actions were thoughtless but still not disruptive. About 70 minutes into the flight; the flight attendants called up and said this same passenger had groped one of the other flight attendants. At that time; I decided to divert into PHX; which was about 160 NM in front of us. I sent Dispatch an ACARS message regarding my intentions and the situation to coordinate ground operations and having the authorities meet the aircraft. We informed ATC and told them about the situation. They asked if the cockpit was secure - it was - and gave us direct to a point on the PINGG arrival into PHX. We responded to the queries but soon had to focus on our descent and arrival planning. During the descent; I made a Public Announcement to the customers informing them we had to divert into PHX for a minor indicator problem and that we'd be on the ground in less than 25 minutes. We pulled up the ATIS and briefed our arrival with me as the pilot flying. We were given a visual into Runway 25R and landed uneventfully. After getting a gate assignment; we pulled up with operations on the scene and with their lights flashing. We shut down the engines and completed all the appropriate checklists. I then briefed the operations and other company officials in the jet bridge about the situation. There was a little confusion regarding the passenger in question because he had exchanged seats and our records showed a woman in that seat assignment. But after I explained what happened; they briefed me on their plan; which was to ASK the unruly passenger to get off first and if he didn't comply; they would ask everyone else to get off then remove the unruly passenger. Fortunately; he walked off under their direction and was taken into the terminal. The flight attendant who was groped was debriefed by operations and company officials and I started coordinating our follow on flight. I called Dispatch on the phone for a new flight plan; fuel request; and other required information. The local operations in PHX were outstanding in meeting our needs and we were back on our way in what seemed like a short amount of time to me. I then made another Public Announcement to the customers about what had happened and that we would be continuing shortly. No one seemed overly concerned to me at that time. My first officer performed exceptionally during this entire diversion and had most of the preflight duties completed upon my return to the cockpit. I downloaded and accepted the new release with our required fuel and we were pushing back shortly afterwards.During the flight; I asked for feedback from my First Officer and the jump seater about what we could have done differently. During that conversation; I realized that I didn't actually declare for priority handling with ATC. I informed ATC of our Threat Level 2 and secure cockpit and intentions to divert into PHX. With my focus on getting down; I hope that information and communications would suffice.Upon a successful and uneventful landing; we were met by an Inflight Supervisor. I thanked my First Officer for all of his efforts and debriefed with my remaining flight attendants in the terminal about what had happened. It was then that I learned about the magnitude of the 'groping' and the horrible actions of the unruly passenger; which only corroborated my divert decisions. I gave my contact information to all of the crew; the supervisor and asked to be updated about any follow up questions if needed.
An air carrier Captain reported that a male passenger had groped a flight attendant. A decision was made to divert and have the passenger removed by law enforcement authorities.