An airplane passenger who allegedly threatened to kill an infant on board before charging the cockpit pleaded not guilty in federal court yesterday.

Santiago Lol Tizol, 37, is charged with interfering with a flight crew. His trial is scheduled for January.

A criminal complaint said flight attendants and passengers on a Northwest Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu overheard Tizol threaten to kill a baby and saw him hold a cell phone cord in a threatening manner.

The complaint said Tizol rushed toward the cockpit about five minutes before the plane was due to land, after the baby and its parents were moved to the back of the plane. The complaint said Tizol was tackled by four passengers and restrained with plastic handcuffs.

If convicted, Tizol faces up to 20 years in prison.