On May 24, 2025, All Nippon Airways Flight NH114, en route from Tokyo Haneda to Houston, experienced a midair emergency when a passenger attempted to open an emergency exit door. Approximately nine hours into the flight, the individual, reportedly undergoing a medical crisis, tried to access the emergency exit. Fellow passengers, including two military veterans, and crew members intervened, restraining the man with zip ties. The flight was diverted to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where the passenger was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. A second passenger exhibiting unruly behavior was also removed in Seattle. After the incidents, the flight continued to Houston without further issues.
The Incident: A Midair Emergency
Flight NH114 was cruising over the Pacific when a male passenger suddenly left his seat and attempted to open an emergency exit door. Witnesses reportedWitnesses reported that the man crawled over other passengers in his haste, prompting immediate concern. Two military veterans onboard quickly assisted the crew in restraining the individual using zip ties. The flight crew decided to divert the aircraft to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where the man was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for evaluation.
Safety Measures and Passenger Response
The swift action of the passengers and crew prevented a potential disaster. It’s important to note that opening an aircraft door mid-flight is virtually impossible due to cabin pressure differences. However, any attempt to do so can cause panic and pose risks. The incident highlights the importance of passenger awareness and readiness to assist in emergencies. The airline commended the passengers and crew for their prompt response, emphasizing that the safety of everyone onboard is their top priority.
Conclusion
The incident aboard Flight NH114 underscores the critical role of both crew and passengers in maintaining safety during flights. While the aircraft’s design prevents doors from being opened mid-flight, the potential for panic and disruption remains. This event serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and cooperation in ensuring the well-being of all onboard.
Thank you to the alert passengers and ANA crew.
Sounds like passenger had a bad drug reaction–hallucination? Panic attack? Put lives at-risk. Needs to be on a suspension or no-fly list for future travel.
I’m curious if the passenger that tried to open the door mid-flight was Japanese. Do you know?
Curious minds can always wonder… but how does his ethnicity matter? We just gotta make it a racial thing? Perhaps there are some things that curious minds would be better left wondering to themselves.
Without more information it’s tough to say for certain but a heart attack or food poisoning is a medical crisis; freaking out because your acid trip went bad is not. The fact that there was a second person involved leads me to surmise that this was self inflicted and unless this was an overdose it was not a medical emergency.