Mental health tests for flight attendant

The flight attendant accused of onboard antics that captured global attention when he told off a passenger and slid down the plane's emergency chute with a beer will undergo a mental health evaluation with the aim of avoiding jail time in a possible plea deal.

Steven Slater appeared in court yesterday for a brief hearing charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and trespassing after last month's incident aboard a flight from Pittsburgh to New York.

After landing at John F Kennedy International Airport, Slater went on the public address system, swore at a passenger who he claimed had treated him rudely, grabbed a beer and exited via an emergency chute, prosecutors said.

Attorneys on both sides said a deal was being discussed. Slater will be evaluated and could face community service and counselling instead of jail.