A flight operated by All Nippon Airways (ANA) en route from Tokyo to Houston was forced to make an emergency landing in Seattle after a passenger attempted to open an exit door while the plane was in the air, BBC reports.
The incident occurred on Saturday aboard ANA Flight 114, prompting the crew to divert the flight several hours after takeoff.
According to the Port of Seattle Police, the male passenger was reportedly experiencing a medical crisis when he attempted to open one of the aircraft’s exit doors. He was restrained by fellow passengers and flight crew before the plane landed safely at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, was later transported to a local hospital. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether he will face criminal charges.
While the plane was on the tarmac in Seattle, a second passenger was also removed from the aircraft for unrelated “unruly behaviour,” officials said.
ANA issued a statement emphasizing the importance of passenger safety, stating:
“The safety of our passengers and crew are our top priority and we applaud the efforts of local law enforcement for their support.”
Following the incident, the flight resumed its journey and arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston approximately four hours later than scheduled.
This event adds to a series of similar in-flight disturbances reported over the past year. In April, a Jetstar flight from Bali to Melbourne was forced to turn back after a passenger tried to open a door mid-flight. In another case in November, passengers aboard an American Airlines flight restrained a man using duct tape after he attempted to open a door while airborne. That same month, nine people were hospitalized after a man opened an emergency exit door just before landing on an Asiana Airlines flight in South Korea.
