Arrest: Michael Tanouye (pictured), 29, sexually assaulted a female passenger in the bathroom of a Japan Airlines plane, the FBI have said. Tanouye's actions forced the plane, from Hawaii to Japan, to turn around
The group finally managed to unscrew the door's hinges, rescue the woman and subdue Tanouye, who lives in Hilo, according to Hawaii News Now.
Following the incident last Saturday, the captain was forced to abandon the plane's journey to Kansai International Airport, and instead returned to Honolulu.
The condition of the woman, who was returning home after a four-day vacation with her mother, remains unknown. However, a male passenger was reportedly injured trying to subdue Tanouye.
The sexual assault charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Before the alleged attack, Tanouye was heard shouting words that were incomprehensible, FBI Special Agent Necosie Wilson wrote in an affidavit.
Incident: Tanouye allegedly forced his way into the restroom an hour and 45 minutes after the Japan Airlines flight took off. He then 'tried to take the passenger's clothes off, before exposing himself' (file picture)
Return: The captain of the plane reportedly made the decision to return to Honolulu International Airport (pictured) two hours into the flight after hearing that it took three passengers to keep Tanouye calm
His mother reportedly told a flight attendant he suffered from depression and was on medication, while Tanouye stood up and walked around the plane 'calmly'.
Flight attendants agreed not to serve him alcohol because he was on medication. After the incident, Tanouye's mother gave him a dose of his medicine and he fell asleep, the affidavit said.
The captain of the plane reportedly made the decision to turn around two hours into the flight after hearing that it took three passengers to keep Tanouye calm following the alleged assault.
Tanouye, who is being held without bail at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center, appeared in federal court for a brief hearing yesterday, seemingly sporting an injury on the left side of his face.
Destination: The plane was travelling to Kansai International Airport (pictured) when the assault occured
He replied 'yes' when the judge asked if he understood the charges. He did not enter a plea.
Defense attorney Richard Sing declined to comment after the hearing, while Tanouye's parents and sister attended the hearing and left the courthouse without commenting.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Butrick told U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Chang there are additional charges and 'mental health issues at play'.
Outside the courtroom, Butrick declined to elaborate on the pending charges, mental health issues or the suspect's facial injury.
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