American Airlines flight diverted after passenger allegedly roughs up flight attendant in what witnesses say was dispute over wearing mask

An American Airlines flight from New York to Orange County, California, outside Los Angeles, was diverted to Denver Wednesday after a passenger allegedly assaulted a female flight attendant in what witnesses describe as a dispute over wearing a mask.

The carrier says it's "outraged."

American says Flight 976 from John F. Kennedy International Airport to John Wayne Airport, in Santa Ana, was diverted "due to a passenger who physically assaulted a flight attendant. The aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate, where law enforcement removed and apprehended the passenger."