Man Jumps From Moving Plane After Trying to Breach Cockpit

A man jumped from a moving plane at Los Angeles International Airport Friday night after an unsuccessful attempt to access the flight’s cockpit. According to airport authorities, the passenger managed to open the service door and jumped down the emergency slide onto the tarmac, only to be detained on the taxiway and taken to hospital for treatment of the injuries sustained during the misadventure.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that the passenger was treated for injuries after he was taken into custody on the taxiway, and was later sent to the hospital.

The incident occurred when United Express flight 5365, operated by SkyWest Airlines, was pulling away from a gate shortly after 7pm. Flight crew saw the passenger getting up from his seat and pounding on the cockpit door before exiting the plane through the emergency door, reported NBC News.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that the passenger was treated for injuries after he was taken into custody on the taxiway and was later sent to the hospital. Nobody else aboard the plane was injured. The twin-engine Embraer 175, which was headed to Salt Lake City, returned to its gate, the airport said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the incident and the passenger’s motive behind pulling off the stunt.

Earlier this month the FAA said it had investigated the highest number of potential breaches of the law since records began in 1995. Many of those are in relation to incidents where people have refused to wear a mask.

The agency said some 394 cases of passengers allegedly “interfering with the duties of a crew member” had been reported as of 25 May.

This is twice as many as the whole of last year when 183 cases were investigated.

By Joe Cusmano