Passengers on a transatlantic flight got a terrifying surprise when a man suddenly jumped up and tried to open the emergency exit mid-air.
The incident took place on February 28 aboard Plus Ultra Flight 701 from Madrid to Caracas, as the Airbus A330 was halfway through its journey.
According to eyewitnesses, the man suddenly leaped from his seat and lunged at the emergency exit, grabbing the door lever and attempting to open it.
As passengers realized what was happening, panic spread through the cabin. Flight attendants and travelers reacted quickly, rushing to stop him and prevent a potential disaster at 35,000 feet.
Chaos in the Cabin
Footage from the flight shows the man standing at the exit while crew members struggle to pull him away.
Passengers and flight attendants wrestled him to the floor, working together to restrain him and hold his hands behind his back.
In the struggle, at least one flight attendant was injured, suffering a partial fracture of the fibula—a bone in the lower leg—which will keep them out of duty for several weeks.
Despite the chaos, crew members restrained the passenger at the back of the plane, keeping him under close watch for the rest of the flight.
A Safe Landing and an Arrest
The flight eventually landed safely in Caracas 30 minutes ahead of schedule, where authorities detained the suspect upon arrival.
A spokesperson for Plus Ultra later explained that the man had been acting strangely earlier in the flight, disturbing a fellow passenger by shouting and slapping him while he was asleep.
Cabin crew initially intervened and moved him to another seat, hoping to calm the situation. However, moments later, he made his way to the emergency exit and attempted to manipulate the door.
Crew members quickly followed protocol, subduing him and securing him in the back of the plane until landing.
Could He Have Opened the Door?
While the situation was terrifying for those on board, modern aircraft like the Airbus A330 are designed to prevent emergency exits from being opened mid-flight.
At high altitudes, the difference in air pressure inside and outside the cabin makes it physically impossible to open the doors. Many aircraft also have flight lock mechanisms that prevent tampering.
However, similar incidents have occurred in the past. In 2023, a passenger aboard an Asiana Airlines Airbus A321 successfully opened an exit door while the plane was descending to land in South Korea—proving that while rare, these situations can be dangerous.
A Disturbing Trend?
While it’s unclear what motivated this passenger’s actions, the case has sparked renewed discussions about onboard safety and passenger behavior.
With incidents of unruly passengers on the rise, airlines and aviation authorities are continuing to emphasize strict protocols to ensure the safety of both passengers and crew at all times.
For those on Flight 701, it was a journey they won’t soon forget—but thanks to the quick-thinking crew, a potential disaster was avoided.
@thedailystar Despite the incident, it is nearly impossible to open exits on modern planes as the difference in inside and outside air pressure seals the doors. 📹Jam Press
