Passenger tries smoking joint mid-flight causing emergency landing

The shocking moment is captured as a passenger on an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to Minneapolis on Saturday forces an emergency landing in Denver after he decided to attempt to smoke marijuana mid-flight.

The dreadlocked man is seen here trying to spark a joint while shocked onlookers and flight crew intervene.

The man, who was not identified, reportedly assaulted another passenger after the Phoenix-to-Minneapolis flight was diverted to Denver.

American Airlines said in a statement to media outlets that the flight was diverted "due to a disruptive passenger. Law enforcement met the flight, and the aircraft re-departed."

Additional reports state the man was claiming to be on cocaine during the flight and was seen lighting a joint after he deplaned.

"Take it off, it hurts. I'll f--king kill you!" he said after being handcuffed by police on the ground, according to media reports.

The passenger who was taken off the plane would be hospitalised and was charged with a crime, according to media reports.