Flight Attendant Fired For Setting Fire On Plane

A19-year-old flight attendant angry at having to work a route set a firein an airplane bathroom, forcing the plane to make an emergencylanding, authorities say.

Eder Rojas, of Woodbury, Minn., wasarrested in Minneapolis on Wednesday. He is being prosecuted in Fargo,where the Compass Airlines flight with 72 passengers and four crewmembers landed safely on May 7, after smoke filled the back. Noinjuries were reported.

Officials said the plane was flying from Minneapolis to Regina, Saskatchewan.

Courtdocuments said Rojas told authorities he was upset at the airline formaking him work that route. He allegedly set the fire inside a papertowel compartment in the rear bathroom of the plane.

Compass is a subsidiary of Northwest Airlines. Northwest spokesman Rob Laughlin said Rojas has been fired.

Rojasmade his initial court appearance in Minneapolis on Thursday and wasordered held without bail pending another court date Monday,prosecutors said. The charge of setting fire aboard a civil aircraftcarries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.