Scare on jet as panicking passenger tries to open door

A US flight was diverted after a panicking passenger tried to open an outer door while the aircraft was in mid-air.

Other travellers on the New York to Seattle jet said the man appeared to be stressed about flying and may have taken too much medication.

Passenger Shoshana Godwin, who sat beside him on the Alaska Airlines flight, said he “freaked out and wanted off ”.

She added that the man, in his twenties, began acting erratically as soon as he boarded but appeared to calm down after taking a pill and fell asleep until he was offered a drink.

“He said he needed to cancel his flight and get off the plane and was speaking a little gibberish,” she said. The unidentified man then got out of his seat and started trying to open a rear door

Passenger Melinda Iverson said: “The air marshals were there quick.”

The pilot diverted to Minnesota yesterday, telling ground control: “We will be dropping off one of our passengers early.

“Can we have someone greet him. He’s having a difficult time working and playing well with others.”

Police boarded at Minnesota and took the man off in handcuffs. The aircraft arrived three hours late in Seattle.

Alaskan Airlines said it is impossible to open the door of a jet during flight because of the difference in pressure inside and out.