Man Allegedly Tried to Open Emergency Exit Door Mid-Flight

Passengers tried to subdue a man they say attempted to open the emergency exit door mid-flight. The drama happened on an American Airlines flight from New Mexico to Chicago. Several passengers say they definitely felt a rush of air when he allegedly tried to pull the door open. When the plane landed, Albuquerque police hauled the passenger away in handcuffs. Inside Edition’s Steven Fabian has more.

[@frankm.2828]

So many insane people nowadays.

[@user-ql4dg4bg9h]

🤠🇺🇸 “It’S deM VaCciNes!”

[@harveywabbit9541]

One is our current president and another is a wannabe repeat.

[@ayoolukoga9829]

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. Matthew 12:43‭-‬45

[@srso4660]

@@ayoolukoga9829speaking of insane 😅

[@mikeymike758]

Covid lockdown!

[@TylerPark]

It's nearly impossible to fully open the door midflight at a cruising altitude

[@rottieshepcalibre9156]

“Nearly” 🤔

[@simonstevenson6686]

Alaskan airlines: “Am I a joke to you”?

[@_Just_Another_Guy]

@@simonstevenson6686 That one already had defects with the door construction. Also that plane wasn't even high in the atmosphere yet. They were still taking off.

[@A_youtube_channel_]

@@rottieshepcalibre9156 nope, it's impossible, you would have to push on 10s of thousands of pounds to open the door. The strongest humans wouldnt even get close

[@val_de_maar]

Not "nearly". Its utterly impossible. Youd break off the door lever far earlier, even at half of the cruising altitude (at full cruising altitude the force needed is around 11 tons). Only place this might be remotely possible is shortly before touchdown (still with much force, like with Asiana Flight 8124). EDIT: shortly before touchdown there is no danger of decompression

[@zee.lovessGod]

He's either having a panic attack, or he could simply just be insane! Either way, I'm just glad people noticed. Who knows what could've happened if no one did.

[@Elian504]

Nothing, its impossible for any of the doors to be opened in flight.

[@icankillbugs]

​@@Elian504 What's the point of having them then?

[@Twennytoo]

@@icankillbugsso people could have an exit if the plane crashed?

[@DarthScott]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@Twennytoo “it’s impossible for any of the doors to be opened”

[@coco4144]

I’m pretty sure he wanted to kill himself

[@colorado841]

He was just checking if all the bolts were tightened properly.

[@FDR-ww6xz]

Was he?

[@CCSn0ws]

@@FDR-ww6xz he doesnt get it

[@JameyMcQueen]

​@@FDR-ww6xz Nyoom

[@wes25_3times]

yea. He saved them all from the door breaking open. What a hero!

[@liamwatson5125]

No he wasn’t.

[@AFloridaSon]

People lose their minds on airplanes.

[@liamwatson5125]

They’re training to be terrorists on board.

[@althepenguin]

It seems all too common these days, sadly. 😔

[@white_genocide2050]

His white

[@timothywhieldon1971]

and highways, and walmart, and YT comments

[@CamLeighGamer]

Bro he needs to get used to it, it’s not even bad, I went on 3 airplane trips in my life and it wasn’t bad 💀

[@Madcatz9000]

Mental health is a HUGE problem in this country.

[@whodoesntlikesurfing]

So is vi-gi-lan-te jus-tice. They laid hands on him against his will which is illegal. They aren't police yet tried to act as if they were.

[@gredem4799]

thats one hella woke/evil thing to say

[@enjoystraveling]

@@whodoesntlikesurfing The passengers, thought they were in danger and we’re trying to help out, there’s no police on a plane, although there might be air marshal, but in some cases, especially in enclosed places in a high altitude you need to act quickly

[@ObserversOfHumanity]

Im gonna say the whole world is going through this right now.

[@whodoesntlikesurfing]

@@enjoystraveling No sane person would think they were in danger as it's impossible for the door to open at that altitude, they were looking for an excuse to manhandle him

[@H3n7yx76]

WTH!!! People these days.

[@kenx9984]

Airlines should now check for mental health of their passengers and staff 😂

[@chazzmillman4792]

So you want them to have more security? 😂

[@IamtheMan1111]

They could order by internet, how would they know? Also that's against privacy

[@Mike-xd6kg]

how?

[@Once800-]

Psych evaluation at least 1 day prior to flight.

[@austinhernandez2716]

That's not possible, you're crazy too

[@MamboKing215]

If only there was a way of granting the dude's wish by allowing him to open the door then immediately shut it behind him once he exits...

[@kepckatherinec805]

Or assign him a seat on the wing.

[@Leah.Known1]

This is crazy!! People just don’t know how to act these days 😭

[@submitsnake5620]

Water has many colors

[@fearmetoo-le8dw]

The airline should be sued to bankruptcy for not properly checking the mental health of the passenger and risking everybody's lives.

[@BenMonares]

@@fearmetoo-le8dwbruh you can’t be serious? They already screening airport security by making sure no weapons or dangerous items aren’t on the plane. It’s gonna be hella work if mental health screening check is happening too

[@tull1207]

I’m dead

[@widdlepocketmarcy]

​@@tull1207 dang, did you get a good coffin?

[@DrillCenter-mf1yg]

imagine he gets hit with 150 counts of attempted murder

[@greenelephant1231]

The passengers who laid hands on him should eb charged with attempted murder as they aren't police and touched him without having any sort of police power

[@derpdiggler7413]

@@greenelephant1231 bad bot

[@greenelephant1231]

@@derpdiggler7413 Ad hominem just shows that you have no argument. You don't get to spend months complaining about police brutality if you're okay with passengers with ZERO police authority manhandling someone like that because this just shows your absence of principles

[@derpdiggler7413]

@@greenelephant1231 okay bot

[@Nothing-ox7jc]

@@greenelephant1231I think you need to look up the concept of citizen arrest

[@Dxrkon]

It doesn’t matter if he was too stupid to realize he’d have to be Superman to open that door, he’ll still get charged

[@fearmetoo-le8dw]

I would file a lawsuit against the airline if I was one of the passenger.

[@BenMonares]

@@fearmetoo-le8dwyou can’t, the airline isn’t at fault and plus the plane landed safely and no one was injured. The door is impossible to open. Btw, he’s gonna get life in prison

[@FlecheNoire07]

Let's hope he's charged for terrorism

[@MyLibertyTV]

So you’ve never heard of Crackhead strength???

[@alegsb3943]

⁠@@fearmetoo-le8dwthat’s like suing Walmart because one of the customers punched you

[@helgageraldine513]

I was once seated next to the emergency exit door on a flight and the flight attendant gave me and the other two passengers firm instructions to not let anyone near it and basically defend it with our lives. I'm barely 5 ft. tall and the other 2 passengers were more like me in stature and we were looking at each other like 👀. Needless to say, I was anxious the whole time.

[@TrainerAQ]

You people can't take a joke 😅

[@rayvega3163]

@@TrainerAQhuh?

[@GorillaWithACellphone]

He should be charged with the attempted murder of everyone on that flight. You have to be an idiot to not realize how dangerous that is

[@elliottb8704]

I mean, it really isn’t dangerous considering the door can’t be opened in the air by the strength of a person alone. The pressure differential keeps the door secured in place, and you’d need tens of tons of force to move it.

[@GorillaWithACellphone]

@@elliottb8704 alaskan 1282 resulted in 3 people injured, they were minor injuries but its still 3 injuries too many

[@holymaggots70]

​@@elliottb8704nah bro, doesn't matter if u need 10kg, 50kg, 100kg of force. There is just some things people shouldn't do, its about safety from not having to deal with "what if" situations

[@elliottb8704]

@@holymaggots70 your right, perhaps my wording was I bit off. He did pose a danger with the way he acted, but my point was that his attempt to open the door was not a threat. Hope this clears things up :)

[@BenMonares]

@@holymaggots70true and there’s ppl serving life in prison for these similar incidents

[@lotofbitsabout]

142 souls on board, 142 attempted murder charges!

[@yumcherubicplum_5535]

You can’t open that door with the pressure differential, nothing really dangerous happened here

[@whodoesntlikesurfing]

@@yumcherubicplum_5535 Only dangerous part was when they laid hands on him, thst's illegal and injured him

[@wilsthelimit]

@@whodoesntlikesurfingYou play stupid games, you win stupid rewards. He should count himself lucky he didn’t get his teeth kicked in

[@sn350channel]

"I need to get off this plane" wow, he lost his mind.

[@Hatsoon]

Bros intrusive thoughts won

[@TrainerAQ]

😂

[@nuclearcooties9679]

Every single video I see. Someone comments this. How funny and original.

[@_PAIGE94]

Good grief 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@EdgarAllanGo]

Glad all those men did something right away and didn’t wait!

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

and whoever NOTICED and said something first. I want to know MORE on this.

[@vmr623]

I'm glad people jumped on him before he could fully open the door.

[@liamwatson5125]

It could have been deadly.

[@icankillbugs]

I wasn't there so I don't really give a rat's rear

[@jaydenvann6961]

Well if they were at cruising altittude, say 30,000 ft, too much pressure would prevent the door from even opening. Either way, it's a good thing no one got hurt.

[@louismalinak5563]

​@@icankillbugsEdge lord being edgy.

[@icankillbugs]

@@louismalinak5563 I don't think OP was being edgy at all, just sort of talking about something that doesn't pertain to them or theirs in any way.

[@VineetRaju1993]

The wonton don coming in clutch as always ❤

[@fumiyama165]

There needs to be long term jail time for these recreational activities.

[@s_lopez8052]

This is terrorism not no "recreational activities!

[@Marvolo14]

That was a mental breakdown not terrorism. He said he wanted off the plane. Some people just don't do well being locked up in a small space for an extended period of time.

[@BenMonares]

@@Marvolo14true but there’s ppl serving life in prison for similar incidents involving a plane

[@Eclipse-lw4vf]

look into the actual cases of the pilot that tried to turn off the planes engines. Mental health is no joke@@BenMonares

[@BboyVReck]

​@@Marvolo14 if I know I don't like tight space I wouldn't pay for cheap flight or just avoid travel by air. This guy was about to ruin thousands lives because of his mental problems he could have avoid.

[@overfoxed]

Relax guys he just wanted a little fresh air

[@SleepyDoesStuff]

A little suction for everyone

[@whytho5769]

😂😂

[@eddy2579]

💀

[@anthonyxavier6300]

He wanted to get high

[@IamtheMan1111]

Yeah, they should just let him. Besides, no Russian in airport so that's the more right thing to do

[@chrisjusino2987]

This keeps happening, he should go down for, however, many people were on that plays counts of attempted murder

[@Jenny_144]

He’s definitely from Alaska

[@toriwisdom8385]

If he felt claustrophobic on the plane, wait til he gets to his jail cell

[@angm7139]

😂

[@toriwisdom8385]

@@angm7139 😄

[@Charmander009]

That’s funny but cruel at Same time, clausterphobia is one of the worst of all mental problems

[@karwinchau4684]

He saved everyone on the plane by checking if the 4 bolts were installed properly on the door.

[@CA2SD]

This...when ppl ask me why I don't close my eyes to sleep or rest. You never know what someone plans on doing while flying.

[@Spartan-bl4pq]

Why did he think opening the door mid air would be smart?

[@TrainerAQ]

He's been planning it since last Thursday

[@shawnverse_gaming01]

the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the plane makes it almost impossible to open the door mid-flight

[@mikemondano3624]

The low pressure at altitude is on the outside, of course.

[@krashd]

That door/plug that flew off a plane two months ago must have been fake news I suppose.

[@BigBen621]

@@mikemondano3624 Where did Shawn say the inside would be a relative vacuum? He said "the pressure difference between the inside and outside", without specifying the direction of the pressure difference. Obviously, inside pressure is higher than the outside pressure.

[@DAK6211]

almost impossible is not impossible, and with enough strength under the right circumstances it can absolutely happen.

[@elliottb8704]

@@DAK6211with tens of tons of force, yes. But the average person does not possess tens of tons of force, so therefore it is impossible.

[@CrimsonPriestessofMiracles]

Not again…

[@SomeoneElsesStory]

The Wonton Don! Lived in China and won the Chinese Super Bowl. He’s releasing a series where he coaches the Uganda national football team right now. Some of the best travel content if you’re into the wild side.

[@knotabot9370]

Hippo mode with hippos 😂

[@HeyItsPM]

​@@knotabot93703 beers and a fanta!

[@tiffanyferoe7078]

Mr Etkind is a HERO!! Along with the others who helped!! Thank you for your bravery & quick actions! 👏

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

and whoever even noticed and called for help.

[@justicewillprevail1106]

He might have had a first time panic attack. It can feel a sense of impending doom and trapped in his own body .

[@Solid1k]

They was all about to be sucked out the airplane because of this guy 🤦‍♂️

[@hereskyubi3333]

That would be impossible mid air. The outside pressure would be too great for it to open.

[@weniard]

He can’t open that door in high altitude, the pressure would seal the door shut anyway.

[@BrownBomber92181]

​@@hereskyubi3333the pressure outside the aircraft at that altitude is much lower than inside the cabin

[@Feliphezo]

​@@hereskyubi3333 You think the pressure gets higher the higher up you go?

[@hereskyubi3333]

@@Feliphezo Yes, this was taught in my middle school science class.

[@johannesaarto1631]

Wasn’t there a similar incident like a month ago…

[@TransitIslandExtras]

Flew outta there

[@bernardofitzpatrick5403]

This is why you need free mental health in USA

[@jaahnnn]

Not taking drugs before a flight would help too

[@britlove892]

Ppl r going nuts lately

[@kathybrewton4577]

Thank the lord , Strong men on flight

[@Faloser]

Bro let the intrusive thoughts win

[@MsArtistwannabe]

Sounds like he was having a panic attack.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

beyond that. More like a psychotic one. Seriousl

[@glenistergrotj3022]

Sounds like the guy was having a panic attack or was going insane. Thankfully everyone’s okay and hopefully the guy gets some help.

[@nataliej54]

The reasons why I really enjoy road trips. Definitely not flying anytime soon.

[@slagaming6643]

Flying is very safe

[@imaspecofdust3913]

I've flown quite a few times, and I've never witnessed this before in the times I've flown. Heck I even remember flying over a really big car accident once. Was so glad to be on the plane and not down there when I saw it.

[@Black_VoidXx]

Flying is much safer than travelling by road. I’ve travelled on aircraft all my life and never seen an issue once, not even a conflict, and I’ve probably flown about 40 times.

[@hoshimaruhajime7933]

​@slagaming6643 did United Airlines pay you to say that

[@fajarkurniawan9434]

drunk drivers > drunk pilots

[@joshuavang5449]

My gosh. That must've been a horrifying thing to have experienced. Thank goodness that people gathered up and stopped this lunatic. I can't even begin to imagine the terror had he been successful. I'm glad that everyone is safe and i'm glad that he is going to jail.

[@yumcherubicplum_5535]

He couldn’t have opened it

[@KaponoMonster]

Dude got a panic attack

[@MissEAG]

Soon every flight will have a security guard on board.

[@CatBot007]

They do, there's 2-4 air marshals on every flight in the us

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

still? I think the flight attendants do their part too. @@CatBot007

[@davidbanner9851]

“I need to get off this plane”….and then what? 😂😂

[@EatPrayShop]

as a working flight attendant this is scary. they need to conduct looney tunes test before assigning those emergency exit seats. if u r ever sitting by one please check ur fellow passengers for signs of craziness mental illness alcoholism etc ad notify ur crew quietly. they averted a catastrophe by this nut job

[@BigBen621]

They didn't avert a catastrophe. If you were actually a working flight attendant, you'd know full well that it's humanly impossible for a human to exert the 15 or so tons of force it would require to open the door at altitude.

[@MsRideNShine]

A few years back I had a panic attack. Let me tell you how my mind had me acting. I couldn’t understand what was happening I just remember feeling the scariest feeling of doom and fear. I tried jumping out of the car my friend was driving. Absolutely terrifying feeling and yes as an onlooker I’m sure my friend thought I was insane. I felt insane at that moment.

[@knuclear200x]

What was the source of it? Does your friend drive aggressively? Was it where you were going?

[@MsRideNShine]

@@knuclear200x no it was happening before we got in the car. Her husband and I were doing yard work and idk outta nowhere everything I was thinking started not to make sense and I felt like everything was just frustrating. I remember asking her a question and I started pacing. We went to take a drive and then something kept telling me to jump out of the car. Idk but it felt like I was being possessed by the craziest thoughts. It’s like intrusive thoughts but your brain telling you you HAVE to do it like it’ll make the things you’re thinking feel better and go away. (Sorry this reply was so long)

[@Feliphezo]

Psycho then

[@MsRideNShine]

@@Feliphezo that’s what it felt like!

[@MsRideNShine]

@@AtomicFile lol reported what the comment? Lol go ahead it’s called experiences. You should look up anxiety attacks and panic attacks.

[@dougadams9419]

Impossible to do. The internal air pressure exceeds the outside air pressure and you cannot open the door against several tons of air pressure inside keeping it closed.

[@TrainerAQ]

The amount of air pressure on those doors is insane! It's funny people believe the stuff in Mission Impossible where they just open a door and jump out like it's their front door. 😂

[@globetracker917]

Scariest thing? That door wouldn't even be possible to open at that altitude. I would consider the entire door plug flying off the plane far worse.

[@pepsico815]

Why is the population going more and more insane?

[@Therealjerks]

The vaxxine

[@vitomcsween974]

I know emergency doors on a plane. Don't open easily, but it's better to be safe than sorry, especially when that person is sitting next to you

[@kimberlycornelius7911]

Has anyone seen anyone procecuted by acting dangerous on a plane yet !? Have you seen anyone banned yet ! ? I haven't? This needs to stop!

[@cmclaren7]

Thank you to everyone who responded. It might be difficult to open that door midflight, but it is impossible. He could have died and others could have perished with him.

[@BigBen621]

Yes, it is impossible.

[@austinhernandez2716]

You mean possible?

[@mattieonutube273]

Why is trying to open the door on a flight like a thing drunk people seem to be constantly doing?

[@lgarcia67]

I really don’t know what happened or where the noise came from; but it sure did not depressurize the plane

[@Nooo70]

?

[@SergioMorales-rj7xx]

Haha I was the actual mechanic who inspected this plane yesterday at Albuquerque when it returned and told the crew the 737 has a flight lock mechanism that will actually lock the door upon leaving the ground. It’s impossible for him to open it and that rush of air statement is false

[@Vespyr_]

I supposed after the seal was broken the plane somehow repressurized as the door would resist being opened during flight? I wouldn't discount the passenger testimony.

[@SergioMorales-rj7xx]

@@Vespyr_ Nah it’s not possible I’m telling you. I had flight attendants tell me they heard nothing, so it’s all just an exaggeration. I can guarantee you the pilots would of had a pressurization light appear on that cockpit which they didnt

[@krashd]

No one said the plane was depressurised, only that they heard air escape.

[@sean87arnaout]

I think he is completely insane. No person with any amount of sense would do that on an airplane.

[@chart461]

He never needs to fly again😮

[@everythinglidd]

Omg Glad everyone made it out safe!

[@shubashuba9209]

I would have anxiety just getting a seat near the emergency exit.

[@riazmalik9040]

It won’t open either way lmao 😂

[@Nooo70]

?

[@riazmalik9040]

@@Nooo70 it wont open because of the cabin pressure

[@cherylmccray7463]

He probably was having a panic attack

[@Queen-doja-cat]

The guy that got interviewed lowkey looks like wreck it Ralph

[@Cacowninja]

Crazy guy: I'm gonna wreck it! Passengers: NO YOU AIN'T!!

[@aldoraine8459]

What is happening to people? Insanity!

[@Krat01s]

Again?! This has to be a stunt.

[@mambi74]

only a matter of time before it becomes a tik-tok challenge

[@fajarkurniawan9434]

Duct Tape! Where is the Duct Tape?! Every airlines need to stock their cabinet with full of duct tape

[@ILGuy2012]

I'm guessing the duct tape came from one of the flight attendants. They probably have zip ties on planes, too.

[@brybryguy6314]

You have any idea how incredibly hard it is to open a door like that mid flight?

[@sdigf3167]

Do you expect people to allow someone to test it mid flight? With the recent door coming off the same airline, I would think you could see why people would doubt that. Doors aren't supposed to spontaneously come off mid flight either, but it did.

[@levithewonderdog335]

@sdigf3167 but the Alaska aircraft was at low altitude. Impossible if they'd been higher.

[@icankillbugs]

No, because I don't try opening doors like that mid flight. Nor at all.

[@chcarroll5164]

seems like with a pressurized cabin a door would open easily, bit if it were a 737 the bulkhead would pop off without assistance

[@PresidentNotSoSure]

Why leave it to chance

[@rosiered3403]

Could be a panic attack. I have to take anxiety meds before I fly. I wouldn't try to open a door, but I envision myself running up and down the aisle, arms flailing, yelling someone OPEN A WINDOWWWWW!

[@iceydicey77]

Pretty sure I've heard another person did the same thing and even saying the same thing "i gotta get out." is this some new psycho trend sparking again

[@amineamraoui4397]

Mental health should be addressed now more than ever, so many crazy people lately......

[@cooliipie]

Seems like this stuff is happening more than before

[@nazaninb5783]

Its hard to say because every dramatic moment gets caught on camera. People have always been.. ya know

[@veramae4098]

Got to assume he was panicked.

[@Nikkif1013]

What is wrong with people today?

[@jman1234533]

Can people stop trying to open the emergency door thanks

[@Wan_Billy]

I unfortunately did this one time while drunk. I have to go to court still.

[@natilyfe]

"Several passengers say they definitely felt a rush of air when he allegedly tried to pull the door open." I think their minds were playing tricks on them. This is not possible. Even if it were possible to open that door, the rapid decompression would be so violent and quick that no one would "feel" anything at all.

[@Christopher-hg2yi]

You cannot open the exit door at 35,000 ft. Too much pressure holding the door sealed. Under 10,000 ft you can open the door.

[@SoraFan23]

Man 2024 is a wild year for flying. So many strange things going on.

[@tarheelamos137]

Hero Wonton Don

[@derrickdiaz3419]

Lmaoo 🤣they really interviewed the Wonton Don

[@lilbrucebanner3533]

Anytime, anybody does something like this they should be charged with attempted murder for everyone on that plane.

[@Vertex_vortex]

He couldn’t open the door while in mid air because of the air pressure from outside, forcing the door not to be open, because of their high altitude

[@kpNov23]

Wrong physics

[@Argus10q]

i think its the other way around

[@mcbrowniealoha]

The wonton don is a beast

[@TheRManProds]

THIS IS INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@almondjoy123]

Wow. His intrusive thoughts really took off.

[@jordyj1145]

insane

[@YW2324]

Why does this keep happening 🤞🏻

[@Steven-cq7yq]

no fly list needs to be more stricter.

[@JoeyTheBeastHD]

womtom dom killed me 🤣🤣🤣

[@troyflatland5299]

Wonton Don not that difficult of a name to get correct

[@user-le4tw8bp6z]

Do we have to start screening for mental issues before allowing people on Flights?!?!? Wtf

[@wc4109]

So anyone can open the exit door, while plane flying? Where’s safety protocol? Why don’t airlines lock the exit door, where only the flight crew can open? Too many crazy passengers on board…

[@JohnA-l5g]

Need to permanently ban those kinds of individuals from ever flying again. They also need a really long prison sentence.

[@Hatemyself-xq7wt]

Imagine showing this to an airline passenger in the 1950s

[@imkrisyoung]

I wonder if he had anxiety or a panic disorder, and an intrusive thought just took over him.

[@lyher2722]

WHAT IS WRONG WITH EVERYBODY.???!!!!!

[@journeymansmitty8283]

Damn that is some crazy passenger 57 stuff😮

[@Blueskytoday]

first prison...next total ban to fly on any airline

[@allengina1091]

OH, LORD! THAT'S HORRIBLE!

[@darkyboode3239]

This is similar to prank calling 911. Don’t do it unless it’s an absolute emergency.