A South Korean man who opened the emergency exit door of a mid-flight plane was arrested on Sunday, law enforcement said, and faces up to 10 years in prison.
The unidentified 33-year-old man was arrested for allegedly violating South Korea’s aviation security law, the Associated Press reported. Police say the man confessed to opening the door because he “felt suffocated” and wanted to get off the plane. A warrant for his arrest had already been issued for him after prosecutors reportedly feared he was trying to flee before his trial.
The incident happened last Friday aboard an Asiana Airlines Airbus A321-200 landing in Daegu, South Korea. An Asiana Airlines official told CNN the man allegedly opened the emergency exit door when the plane was about 700 feet above the ground. Videos circulating online showed panicked passengers appearing to be struggling to breathe as air rushed through the cabin. Despite the door being opened, the plane was able to land safely, Asiana Airlines said, although at least 12 people were injured.
Outside air pressure normally makes it impossible to open the emergency exit door of an aircraft in flight. However, Asiana Airlines told CNN the man was able to open the door because the plane was about to land. “The aircraft is automatically set to adjust the cabin pressure based on the aircraft’s altitude…when the altitude is low and close to landing, the door can be opened,” said the airline company.
Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas of Airline Ratings also told CNN that the plane’s landing speed of 150 knots allowed the emergency door, located behind the wing, to be opened in the flow of air. air.
Following the incident, Asiana Airlines said it would no longer sell seats from the emergency exits of its A321 aircraft, a measure that “will apply even if the flights are full”.
You might also like
Celine Dion cancels her tour after being diagnosed with a neurological disorder
January 1 6 sedition convictions land 2 oath keepers in jail for 18 and 12 years
Texas House panel hits Attorney General Ken Paxton with 20 charges