Selma Blair’s representative denies aircraft-door allegation after flight arrest

Selma Blair’s representative has denied reports that the actor tried to open an aircraft door during a flight to New York, saying she did not intend to harm anyone. In a statement given to People and reported by Nieuws.nl on Friday, the representative called the incident a medical emergency. The response comes after Blair pleaded not guilty to two assault charges arising from alleged events after the plane landed. [2][3]

Port Authority police met Delta flight 938 at New York’s JFK airport on Sunday 11 October after it arrived from Los Angeles. Two flight attendants reported injuries, and one was taken to hospital for evaluation, according to the Port Authority’s account reported by the Associated Press. [3][4]

The two state charges concern a police officer who was helping to transport Blair from the airport and a nurse who treated her in hospital. Both alleged that Blair kicked them, according to the criminal complaint described by ABC News. Blair pleaded not guilty in a Queens court on Monday. Separately, the AP reported, citing a federal law enforcement official, that she had been issued a federal assault notice concerning events on board. [3][4]

Blair’s lawyer, Shawn Barnes, told the court that the alleged conduct resulted from a medical emergency rather than intentional criminal behaviour. The representative’s denial of an attempt to open the door addresses a claim reported by other media outlets; it does not dispute that crew members reported injuries. The Guardian attributed the door allegation to those reports, rather than to a finding disclosed by investigators. Whether anyone tried to open the door remains unresolved. [1][2][4]