In the end, the mission failed, but a man at least partially succeeded in opening the emergency exit door after takeoff on an American Airlines flight to Chicago. Thankfully, passengers tackled him and restrained him until the aircraft could be diverted.
American Airlines Passengers Tackle Man Who Attempted To Open Emergency Exit Door After Takeoff
Imagine you are sitting on a flight and suddenly, 30 minutes after takeoff, you suddenly feel a strong gush of wind. That’s a scary thought. But that’s exactly what happened onboard American Airlines flight AA1219 from Albuquerque (ABQ) to Chicago (ORD) on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The flight was operated by a Boeing 737-800.
About 11 minutes after takeoff a male passenger suddenly made a beeline for the emergency exit door and tried to open. I doubt he could have fully opened it, but he made some progress as passengers reported a sudden and strong gush of wind.
Passengers tackled him and held him down as he tried to squirm out.
The captain returned to Albuquerque where the man was offloaded and arrested.
American Airlines released the following statement concerning the incident:
“American Airlines flight 1219 with service from Albuquerque (ABQ) to Chicago (ORD) returned to ABQ shortly after takeoff due to a disturbance in the cabin involving a disruptive customer. The flight landed safely and the aircraft was met by local law enforcement upon arrival.”
Here’s some pictures and videos from onboard:
Ladies and gentlemen, WE GOT HIM pic.twitter.com/zuuWDrYXBS
— The Wonton Don (@DonnieDoesWorld) February 20, 2024
One of the scariest days of my life. Flying back home from ABQ and we’ve been in the air for about 30 minutes and a huge gush of wind comes out of no where. This guy opened the emergency exit door. People were tackling him down and put him in zip ties. Had to emergency land back. pic.twitter.com/PojFvDU3rS
— ＬΛＹＺ (@layzdubz) February 20, 2024
Any guesses as to how much alcohol this tosser was drinking? I’m quite glad to see that no one was injured in the kerfuffle.
CONCLUSION
Another day, another in-flight incident. Thankfully, the forces of gravity make it virtually impossible (absent superhuman strength) to open an emergency exit door at cruising altitude. But while a door may not be fully openable, the gush of wind element is the most chilling part of the story.
This flight wasn’t operated by an A319. It was a 737-800. The photos clearly show that as well.
I thought it was impossible to open the door during cruise altitude? I assume the plane would be close to cruising at 30 mins after departure, amazing he was able to get it open at all – this is happening far too often, kudos for the passengers able to help restrain him.
Honestly do not understand why people do this. We should stop giving these people attention, then these stunts might stop.
I agree Malik. When one gets attention for something as serious as this incident, how many more view it as a challenge. Scary stuff
He works for barstool and craves attention on Social Media for Elon Bucks. I agree admitting you were in a stupor from tequila should be a reason to ban the “Wanton Don” for future AA flights as potential risk.
Unfortunately we are all giving him the attention he desires.
I thought we weren’t allowed to say thug anymore because its now rayciss. Just say cracker or honky……two perfectly acceptable slurs.
Morons being morons.
AMEN!
Silly Matt, don’t you know it’s racist to call someone a thug? Just ask any liberal.
Racists get all confused when the term thug gets applied to a white person.
Thank you for your service, Donnie. #salute
Don’t know that “thug” begins to adequately cover the severity of what was being attempted here.
It’s not 30 min after take off. According to FlightAware, the flight took off at 13:54 MST and reached FL272 11 min later and started an emergency-ish descend to 12,800 feet (due to terrain I guess). It landed at 14:42 MST.
Helpful. Thank you.
I thought that no human could open an airplane door after 11 minutes of climbing let alone 30 minutes.
Minor correction, but it’s not gravity that makes the doors impossible to open; it’s the air pressure differential, where the higher pressure inside the cabin holds the door firmly against the outside of the fuselage. (Yes, the lower air pressure at altitude is a result of gravity acting on the air, but that’s a little indirect)., technically the air pressure differential is related to gravity.
Quite right. Thanks.
Omg, so white-centric to want doors closed. Embrace Laqueefi and zir’s open door policy.
Not the laws of gravity but air pressure. Still not sure how this is possible once the plane is airborne. Shouldn’t there be some kind of safety interlock that disables the controls when some condition (the landing gear are up, altitude > 100m is reached). But I guess we have enough trouble with aircraft makers keeping the current designs airworthy, especially around doors and hatches.
Thanks. You are correct.