A man stripped off his clothes while on a US Airways jet en route to Los Angeles and forced the plane to make an unscheduled stop in Albuquerque, NM.

Keith Anthony Wright, a 50-year-old New York resident, was arrested when the plane landed in New Mexico and is being held in federal detention in pending his appearance in court on charges of interference with a flight.

“He removed his clothing during the flight and refused to put them back on,” FBI spokesman Darrin Jones was quoted as saying by the Los Angeles Times.

Wright is also accused of attacking a flight attendant who tried to cover him with a blanket.

“We actually had to physically hold him down on the floor and handcuff his ankles, his wrists,” Matt McGinnis, a passenger who helped police officers to bring the man under control, told CBS television.

While the flight attendants were struggling to control the man, authorities ordered the plane that had originated in Charlotte, North Carolina, to land in Albuquerque, said Jones.

“There are no further details why he may have done what he did, but the court may order a medical or psychological exam during his court appearance,” Jones added.

The plane with 147 passengers continued the flight an hour later. Before the plane took off the second time, the remaining passengers were asked to please keep their clothes on for the duration of the trip.