Outrage as Passenger Punches Airline Pilot: Why are Fights on Flights Increasing?|Firstpost Unpacked
This was not in the US, but if it is me, and some guy punches the pilot during a flight, I will get on the overhead a few minutes later and announce "we have lost our pilot due to a concussion, is there anyone on the plane who is licensed to fly this airplane to help us land it?"
Let everyone sweat it out for the next few hours.
I realize this could create a panic so I would also say "Would the four air marshals on this plane be prepared to shoot anyone causing a disruption".