TSA spokesman Robert Johnson said the man _ who appeared to be Russian _ was ``difficult'' during boarding for United Flight 383 to Chicago, shoving passengers on his way to the gate.
After boarding the aircraft around 7 p.m., the man got into an altercation with a flight attendant as the plane was pushing back from the gate, Johnson said. The man then pulled out a cigarette lighter and started a small fire in his seat.
The flight attendant notified the pilot and a federal air marshal on board the plane. The aircraft returned to the gate and airport police and the air marshal removed the man from the plane and arrested him. No passengers were injured.
The FBI, federal air marshals and airport police are investigating the incident.
``It appears to be an isolated incident,'' Johnson said. He said he expects the man, who remained unidentified late Tuesday night, to be charged with the federal offense of interfering with a flight crew, a felony.
The flight later arrived safely in Chicago, Johnson said.
