SEATTLE, WA – The family of a King County teen who was sexually assaulted aboard a flight in 2017 is suing United Airlines, claiming that the airline failed to protect the 16-year-old.

In July 2017, Vijaykumar Krishnappa, 30, groped the teen during a flight from Seattle to Newark, N.J. He later pleaded guilty in connection to the assault, and was sentenced in January 2018 to serve 90 days in federal detention.

According to SeattlePI.com, the lawsuit says that a flight attendant told Krishnappa, “Not cool, dude,” when the teen reported the assault during the flight. Krishnappa was then allowed to walk off the flight when it reached New Jersey, the suit says.

The assault occurred at the beginning of the flight, according to the PI. The flight crew did allow the teen to move her seat, but she was still within sight of Krishnappa for the duration of the four-plus hour flight.

Krishnappa was only arrested after the teen’s mother contacted authorities one day after the assault occurred.

According to the FBI, in-flight sex assaults are on the rise. There were 10 reported between January and August 2018 – that total includes two that involved a plane flying out of or landing at Sea-Tac Airport.

Seattle U.S. Attorney Annette Hayes in August urged victims to come forward.

“Reports of sexual assaults on aircraft are increasing, and we want the public to know these assaults are federal crimes and will be investigated and prosecuted consistent with the law,” she said. “We urge the flying public to report assaults to airline personnel and law enforcement and assist victims who need help. The skies will be safer for all of us.”

Patch file photo

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