An international flight en route from Tokyo to Houston was forced to divert to Seattle after a passenger allegedly attempted to open the aircraft’s exit doors midflight, as per NBC News.
All Nippon Airways Flight 114 had departed Japan’s Haneda Airport around 10:33 a.m. local time, bound for George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Nearly 10 hours into the journey, the aircraft was rerouted due to a “passenger disturbance,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The flight landed safely at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at approximately 4:19 a.m. PT, according to Port of Seattle Police.
In a statement, police said they were called to the scene following reports that a passenger tried to open an emergency exit during the flight.
“The report stated that passengers and flight crew had restrained the individual,” the statement said.
The unnamed passenger was evaluated after the plane landed and was found to be experiencing a medical crisis. They were transported to a local hospital for further treatment.
A second individual was also removed from the aircraft in Seattle for separate, unspecified “unruly behavior” on the tarmac. Authorities confirmed that the second incident was not connected to the earlier disturbance involving the medical emergency.
After both passengers were removed, the flight resumed its journey and departed Seattle around 7:00 a.m. PT, ultimately landing in Houston at 12:42 p.m. CT without further incident, according to flight tracking data from FlightAware.com.
