Passenger opens emergency exit, climbs onto plane’s wing

News Express |28th Nov 2023 | 440
Passenger opens emergency exit, climbs onto plane’s wing

Southwest Airlines flight




A man on a Southwest Airlines flight opened an emergency exit door and climbed onto the planes wing Sunday while the aircraft was at a gate at New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport, authorities said.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office said it responded to a disturbance at the airport after a 38-year-old man opened the emergency exit door to access the wing and jump out. The plane was stationary and had not departed the gate at the time of the incident, and the man was stopped by personnel on the ground and held until deputies arrived.

Passenger Zed Webster told CNN he heard what sounded like an argument between two passengers across the aisle from him and was concerned they might start a fight. He said he took out his phone and began to record the incident.

As soon as he pressed the record button, Webster said the passenger unlatched the lock to the emergency exit door and jumped out the window. I was terrified, he said.

Websters video shows several passengers evacuating the plane and rushing through the jetway. Later, the video shows what appears to be an airline employee jumping from the jetway onto the tarmac to assist colleagues in subduing the passenger.

When deputies made contact with the passenger on the tarmac, he appeared incoherent and not fully aware of his surroundings, the sheriffs office said.

The man was transported to a local hospital for evaluation as the deputies believed he was suffering from a mental health emergency, according to the sheriffs office statement, and he remains hospitalized.

There is no indication that the man left anything on the plane, nor was he found in possession of any weapons of any type, the statement continued. He is not expected to face any criminal charges locally, however the investigation has been referred to federal authorities. No one was injured during the incident.

Chris Perry, a spokesperson for Southwest Airlines, told CNN in an email, We commend our flight and ground crews for their swift action and apologize to our Customers for their inconvenience.

After a delay, the flight departed using a different aircraft, according to Perry. Webster said the delay was about two hours and the flight arrived in Atlanta shortly before midnight. (CNN)




Comments

Post Comment

Man kills soldier with log of wood in Lagos, neutralised without delay

Man kills soldier with log of wood in Lagos, neutralised without delay

There’s Christian genocide in Nigeria, we welcome US intervention — CAN

There’s Christian genocide in Nigeria, we welcome US intervention — CAN

Why I slept with our maid — Married man tells court

Why I slept with our maid — Married man tells court

One of 25 abducted Kebbi schoolgirls escapes as army intensifies search for others

One of 25 abducted Kebbi schoolgirls escapes as army intensifies search for others

Organ-harvesting: Police nab suspect, rescue 4 victims

Organ-harvesting: Police nab suspect, rescue 4 victims

Nigeria's Oluwafunke Adeoye wins 2025 IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award

Nigeria's Oluwafunke Adeoye wins 2025 IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award

Lagos court sentences randy man to life imprisonment for defiling minor

Lagos court sentences randy man to life imprisonment for defiling minor

Sacrilege: Yobe community condemns grave’s desecration, pledges to support police investigation

Sacrilege: Yobe community condemns grave’s desecration, pledges to support police investigation

Lagos Govt. postpones planned Lekki-Ajah road rehabilitation

Lagos Govt. postpones planned Lekki-Ajah road rehabilitation

Alleged abuse of office: Otu dissolves Cross River LG Service Board

Alleged abuse of office: Otu dissolves Cross River LG Service Board

Saheed V The People of Lagos: When security is life (1)

Saheed V The People of Lagos: When security is life (1)

Open Letter to President Tinubu: Serial disobedience of court orders – Urgent request for Executive Intervention in the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and consideration of a nolle prosequi

Open Letter to President Tinubu: Serial disobedience of court orders – Urgent request for Executive Intervention in the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and consideration of a nolle prosequi

Ebonyi Labour Party chieftain drags alleged attackers to court

Ebonyi Labour Party chieftain drags alleged attackers to court

Catholic Priest shot dead, several residents abducted as gunmen storm Kaduna community

Catholic Priest shot dead, several residents abducted as gunmen storm Kaduna community

44 Federal Lawmakers write Tinubu, seek Nnamdi Kanu’s release

44 Federal Lawmakers write Tinubu, seek Nnamdi Kanu’s release

Pro-Wike PDP NEC expels Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Bode George, others

Pro-Wike PDP NEC expels Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Bode George, others

Security fears deepen over schoolgirls’ abduction, slain General amid new assaults

Security fears deepen over schoolgirls’ abduction, slain General amid new assaults

APC group charges Nentawe not to reduce his office, to focus on delivering Tinubu

APC group charges Nentawe not to reduce his office, to focus on delivering Tinubu

Gunmen kill Ebonyi commissioner’s brother

Gunmen kill Ebonyi commissioner’s brother

Senate halts consideration of Cocoa Management Board Bill after Tinubu’s request

Senate halts consideration of Cocoa Management Board Bill after Tinubu’s request

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 7:37 PM
ADVERTISEMENT

Follow us on

GOCOP Accredited Member

GOCOP Accredited member
logo

NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.

Contact

Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State.
+234(0)8098020976, 07013416146, 08066020976
info@newsexpressngr.com

Find us on

Facebook
Twitter

Copyright NewsExpress Nigeria 2025