An AirTran flight from Baltimore headed to Austin, Texas had to divert from its track to land in Memphis on Monday evening, after one of its passengers tried to open its emergency exit, located on its rear end, while still mid-air.
AirTran officials said that the unruly passenger was completely suicidal and was even screaming that he didn't want to live any longer.
The Boeing 7737 was still flying over Little Rock in Arkansas when the incident happened; the onboard employees had to secure the exit door throughout the course of the flight's emergency landing at a nearby airport: Memphis International Airport, which ensued at around 6:30 in the evening.
At the airport, all of the passengers were requested to exit the plane upon arrival while the unidentified impulsive man was escorted off the vessel to the airport police, where he was detained for FBI evaluation and psychological examination. No charges have been pressed by the airlines thus far.
The diverted flight comprised 120 passengers and five onboard crew members, which already includes the pilots. Shortly after the passengers have safely exited the plane, some of them were interviewed by AirTran employees as well as several responding media men.
One of the diverted flight passengers shared that the man was acting strange ever since the Boeing took off; he was seen talking to the other passengers that he was ready to die any moment.
Another passenger said that the unruly passenger was restrained by the military men on board, and they stayed with him all throughout the flight's emergency landing.
Memphis International Airport Vice President for Operations John Geraud said that the unruly passenger didn't seem too unruly when he was arrested. Moreover, he shared that the man wasn't drunk or under the influenced of any substance either.
The diverted flight finally took off two hours after, at approximately 8:30 p.m., to resume on its course of reaching Austin.
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