Passenger Attempts Mid-Flight Exit Door Opening, Japanese Flight Diverted to Seattle

Emergency Landing After Passenger Disturbance on Japanese Flight

A routine flight from Tokyo to Texas encountered unexpected turbulence on Saturday when a passenger attempted to open an exit door mid-flight, prompting an urgent reroute to Seattle. All Nippon Airways (ANA) Flight 114, which had just taken off, was diverted due to the actions of the unruly passenger.

Incident Overview

According to official statements from ANA, the flight was forced to land at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after authorities were alerted about a male passenger who was “attempting to open exit doors during the flight.” Port of Seattle police reported that the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, experienced a “medical crisis” which led to the necessity for him to be physically restrained by fellow passengers and flight crew members.

The situation was swiftly handled, and the individual was subsequently transported to a local hospital for evaluation. As of now, it remains unclear whether any charges will be filed against him.

Safety Protocols Observed

ANA expressed their commitment to passenger and crew safety in a statement, commending local law enforcement for their prompt support during the incident. “The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority, and we applaud the efforts of local law enforcement for their support,” the airline declared.

While the aircraft sat on the tarmac in Seattle, another passenger was removed due to “unruly behavior,” highlighting the ongoing challenges of managing in-flight disturbances.

Delayed Arrival

After the disturbance, Flight 114 continued its journey and finally arrived at its scheduled destination, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, approximately four hours later than planned, touching down at around 12:40 local time (17:40 GMT).

A Worrying Trend

This incident is among several recent occurrences involving disruptions aboard flights, raising concerns about passenger behavior in the air. Notably:

• In April, a Jetstar flight from Bali to Melbourne was forced to return due to a passenger attempting to open a door.
• A November incident saw a man restrained by fellow passengers with duct tape after he tried to open a door on an American Airlines flight.
• Earlier this year, nine passengers on an Asiana Airlines flight were hospitalized due to breathing difficulties after a man opened an emergency exit door before landing in South Korea.

Recent In-Flight Disturbance Incidents

The frequency of such incidents calls for increased vigilance both from airline crews and passengers alike, to ensure the safety and security of all individuals on board.