An American Airlines flight bound for Chicago turned around and returned to Albuequerque Tuesday afternoon after a “disruptive” passenger tried to open the plane’s emergency door in flight.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane landed safely back at Albuequerque International Sunport shortly after 2:30 p.m.
Passengers tackled the man, who has not yet been publicly identified, after he ripped off the covering of the door handle.
“The guy was screaming, ‘I wanna get out’ while he was being restrained,” Emma Ritz told KOAT.
Ciera Garcia said he was one of the passengers who helped subdue the man.
“He was resisting,” Garcia said. “There was no punches, at least not to me. He didn’t bite, he didn’t kick, he didn’t elbow. But he was definitely continuing to try until we forced him off the lever.”
The FBI confirmed they were investigating the incident, and American Airlines confirmed there was “a disturbance in the cabin involving a disruptive customer.”
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[Featured image: Emma Ritz via KOAT]
