A drunken airline passenger groped three women before air marshals handcuffed him and the London-bound plane turned back to Philadelphia, the authorities say.

Robert Coppack, 40, will remain in custody until a detention hearing on Monday in federal court.

An FBI affidavit says two women seated near Coppack complained about him on Tuesday's overnight flight, prompting the crew to steer him toward the back of the plane.

The affidavit says he then groped a retired flight attendant as he walked down the aisle.

Coppack, who lives in California, is charged with intimidating a crew member.

US Airways spokeswoman Michelle Mohr says the flight eventually arrived at Heathrow, about four hours late.