Passenger Who Opened Emergency Exit and Exited US Aircraft During Taxiing... Arrested On Site

Flight Attendants Restrain Problem Passenger Outside Aircraft
Passenger Arrested by Local Police Responding to Report

An incident occurred where a passenger opened the emergency exit door and walked onto the airplane wing while the passenger aircraft was taxiing on the runway.
Photo by NBC News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] A man in his 50s was caught by police after opening the emergency exit of a passenger plane that had landed on the runway and walking out onto the wing while the aircraft was taxiing to the gate at its destination in the United States.

According to CNN and NBC News in the U.S. on the 5th (local time), the incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, and Randy Frank Davila (57), a passenger on United Airlines flight 2478, was arrested there.

As the plane was taxiing from the runway to the gate, Davila suddenly opened the emergency exit door, walked out onto the wing, and then went down onto the runway. Passengers on the same flight were shocked and bewildered. Some took out their phones to record the scene.

Davila, who escaped through the emergency exit, was immediately stopped by airline ground staff and was arrested by local police who responded to the report. The reason for his actions has not yet been revealed.

Due to his sudden behavior, the aircraft arrived at the gate 20 minutes later than scheduled.

NBC obtained and released a transcript from the Air Traffic Control. The transcript included statements such as, "Someone pulled the exit leading to the right rear wing. A person who was seated in 21B exited the plane and is currently on the ramp."

United Airlines stated in a press release, "Ground crew members stopped the problematic passenger outside the aircraft at the time. The passenger has been handed over to the police." They added, "After the incident, the plane safely arrived at the gate. All passengers were able to disembark safely," emphasizing, "The safety of our customers and crew is our top priority."

Aviation security expert Jeff Price said, "Although rare, such incidents have happened in the past. Those doors are designed to open, and there is nothing that can prevent them from being opened while the plane is on the ground."