The trial has opened in Seoul of the Korean Air executive who went into a rage when her macadamia nuts were served in a bag, rather than on a plate.
A Korean Air plane Photo: AFP
Heather Cho has been accused of violating aviation safety laws and endangering passengers by ordering the plane back to the gate in New York as it taxied for takeoff.
The "nut rage" incident occured on a Seoul-bound flight on 5 December.
The 40-year-old, who has been in custody for three weeks, has pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing aviation safety.
Ms Cho will face a maximum of 10 years in jail if found guilty of diverting the aircraft with no good reason.
She appeared in the packed courtroom wearing a green prison uniform, stood with her head lowered and answered questions in a whisper, the BBC reported.
Heather Cho arrives for questioning at the prosecutors' office in Seoul in December Photo: AFP
Ms Cho's lawyers argued in the opening statement that the charges were based on "exaggerated statements" and that safety violations were minor given the plane was still on the ground and had not yet reached the runway.
Ms Cho, who is the daughter of Korean Air chief executive Cho Yang-ho, has also been accused of interfering in the execution of a government official's duty and coercion for allegedly exerting influence in the government investigation.
The story has been seen as an example of poor management in South Korea's family-run conglomerates that dominate the country's business landscape.
- BBC