The upsetting scenes were filmed by a passenger who said the mum and her twins were 'involuntarily escorted off the plane'
A FLIGHT attendant has been banned from the cabin after he was filmed challenging a passenger to a FIGHT as a sobbing mum was allegedly "whacked" on board.
The American Airlines steward was recorded shouting "hit me" when a passenger came to the defence of the distressed mother.
The row was allegedly sparked when her children's pushchair was allegedly snatched by crew members.
Now American Airlines say they have "grounded" the attendant as they investigate what happened after apologising.
Passenger Surain Adyanthaya, who filmed the shocking footage, claimed the flight attendant "'violently took a stroller from a lady with her baby on my flight, hitting her and just missing the baby".
Adyanthaya added: "They just involuntarily escorted the mother and her kids off the flight and let the flight attendant back on, who tried to fight other passengers.
"The mom asked for an apology and the AA official declined."
A passenger on the plane was then seen getting out of his seat to confront the cabin crew about their alleged behaviour.
Heard saying he's "not going to sit here and watch this" before demanding to speak to the steward accused of hitting the distraught mum.
When an American Airlines employee then boards the plane, the man tells him: "You do that to me and I'll knock you flat".
Suddenly the steward lurches forward and points at the passenger ordering him to "stay out of it".
The pair then square up against each other before the crew member shouts: "Hit me. You don't know what the story is".
The row broke out on Flight 591 just before it departed from San Francisco on Friday afternoon.
Adyanthaya later posted another photo on his Facebook page appearing to show the woman being escorted off the plane with her baby twins.
An American Airlines spokesman said: "What we see on this video does not reflect our values or how we care for our customers.
"We are deeply sorry for the pain we have caused this passenger and her family and to any other customers affected by the incident.
"We are making sure all of her family's needs are being met while she is in our care.'
"After electing to take another flight, we are taking special care of her and her family and upgrading them to first class for the remainder of their international trip.
"The actions of our team member captured here do not appear to reflect patience or empathy, two values necessary for customer care.
In short, we are disappointed by these actions.
American Airlines
"In short, we are disappointed by these actions. The American team member has been removed from duty while we immediately investigate this incident."
Last week a doctor was filmed being dragged off an overbooked United Airlines flight with blood pouring from his mouth.
Dr David Dao, 69, was forced to leave the flight from Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky, so staff from a partner airline could have his seat for a connecting flight.
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