Passenger who opened Asiana plane door in mid-air informs police he was “uncomfortable”

A man who opened the door of an Asiana Airlines plane mid-air has informed the police that he did so because he felt “uncomfortable.” The incident, which took place during a flight bound for Daegu, South Korea, caused panic among the passengers and resulted in several individuals being hospitalized due to breathing issues.

As investigations continue, authorities aim to apprehend the man responsible for the alarming act. While rare, unauthorized door openings have been reported in the past, although not during the flight itself.

Uncomfortable Passenger Triggers Mid-Air Incident:

According to reports from the Daegu Dongbu Police Station, a man in his thirties admitted to opening the plane’s door as he wanted to disembark quickly due to his discomfort.Further details reveal that the individual had recently lost his job, which likely contributed to his heightened stress levels. The unsettling incident occurred when the aircraft was approximately 700 feet above the ground, leading to widespread panic and fear among the passengers.

Hospitalizations and Health Concerns:

The unauthorized opening of the plane door had immediate repercussions, with nine passengers experiencing breathing difficulties and requiring hospitalization. These individuals were promptly transferred to a local medical facility, where they received necessary treatment. Thankfully, after approximately two hours of observation, all patients were released from the hospital, indicating that their conditions were not severe. However, the incident undoubtedly caused distress and disruption to those onboard.

Ongoing Investigations and Legal Consequences:

Authorities have taken the detained man into custody as they continue their investigations into the incident. The goal is to gather all pertinent information and determine the appropriate legal actions against the individual. This incident serves as a wake-up call for airlines and regulatory bodies to reassess and reinforce safety protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Unprecedented Mid-Air Incident with Previous Ground-Related Cases:

Jin Seong-hyun, a former cabin safety official at Korean Air, noted that while mid-air door openings are highly unusual, there have been instances of unauthorized door openings while the aircraft is on the ground. Nevertheless, this particular incident stands out due to its occurrence during the flight, marking it as an unprecedented event in aviation history.

Understanding the Technical Aspects of Emergency Exits:

A transport ministry official from South Korea shed light on the possibility of opening emergency exits at or near ground level. They explained that the pressures inside and outside the cabin are similar under such circumstances. This insight provides valuable information about the technicalities of aircraft safety and cabin pressure management.