Baltimore – An AirTran Airways flight made an emergency landing in Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday evening after a passenger tried to open an emergency exit on the plane, a television station reported.
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AirTran Flight 265 was en route to Austin Texas, from Baltimore when an unruly passenger tried to open a door in the rear of the plane, prompting the flight to be diverted to Memphis, WREG-TV in Memphis reported late Monday.
Southwest Airlines Co spokesman Brad Hawkins said in an email late on Monday to the station that the flight was “safely diverted to (Memphis) this evening. I also understand there was an unruly customer among the 120 onboard (+ crew of 5).” AirTran is a Southwest unit.
John Greaud, vice president of operations at Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, told the station the passengers were taken off the plane so officials could interview them and check the aircraft. He said the man, who was not identified, did not appear to be intoxicated.
The station said the man was detained by the FBI for two hours. Airport officials were working with the FBI to determine if any charges would be filed, the station said.
The plane later completed its flight to Austin.
A Southwest spokesman was not immediately available for comment.
The old method of design made it impossible to open the doors while at pressure.
New airframe designs allow some doors to open outwards. They are supposedly locked by electronic control from the cockpit but who knows how that can be circumvented.
PS: Many doors open outwards but first swing in a little. The swinging in is impossible when the plane is pressurized which precludes opening a door during flight.
“The station said the man was detained by the FBI for two hours.”
Was he just let go and continued the flight after the two hours?
Was he taken to a mental institution after the two hours?
What happened?
Its impossible to open a door mid-flight.