First, Kudos to Hawaiian Airlines and those who assisted them yesterday during this nightmare-inducing event. It occurred when a crazed passenger repeatedly tried to open the aircraft exit door mid-flight between Los Angeles and Honolulu. Luckily, the door remained sealed. Oh hells bells, as if we haven’t had enough travel trouble yet.
The passenger was taken into federal custody after the flight crew and an off-duty police officer were able to subdue the man.
The incident took place on a nearly full flight, with 205 passengers and crew on board the Airbus A330-200. The plane departed Los Angeles at 10:04 am and landed safely in Honolulu at 12:58 pm.
Why airliner doors can’t be opened in-flight.Â
Luckily for all aboard, aircraft cabin doors are designed so that they cannot be opened in flight. Lest we forget, for those of you old enough, the infamous D.B. Cooper jump back in 1971. Bring back any memories?
This isn’t, however, even close to the first time a passenger has attempted to exit an airliner midair. The list of incidents is actually quite long. While the idea of being sucked out of an open aircraft door midair is sure to arouse chills in the best of us, luckily the risk of the door actually being opened is virtually non-existent.
First, aircraft doors are mechanically locked and controlled by the flight crew. The door is secured prior to take off. Do you recall after the plane has landed and is approaching the gate, the pilot will say “doors to manual.” A passenger could open a door only after that occurs.
In addition to the locks, the cabin pressure also seals them closed. Doors cannot open because the inside cabin air pressure is much greater than the outside air pressure. Thus, the doors are sealed against the aircraft frame.
An investigation of the incident is underway and it is not clear yet what charges may be brought.
Photo of Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The company is now rescheduling its first deliveries of the new fleet for 2022.
So are straight jackets kept in the overhead bins these days ? Doubtful flight crew could/would administer knock out drops ! Any clue how the agitated person was actually subdued ? Thank goodness there was someone on-board to help.
Hi Marsha.
Always good to hear from you. We did not hear about how the passenger was subdued but it seems that tape is used most of the time as far as we are hearing.
Aloha.
Aloha Beat Of Hawaii!
As this just happened, I don’t think you would have reported on it yet. A mainland visitor to Kauai with a negative Covid-19 test, took the 2nd test 3 days later and ended up positive for Covid-19.I watched Mayor Kawakami’s Kauai.gov video 10/30/2020 where he reports on this, as well as a physician. The Doctor states that it can take up to 14 days after being exposed to Covid-19 for the virus to test positive in a Covid test, & she recommends getting that 2nd test to be sure you’re virus free while in Hawaii. The Mayor said the problem with that is many visitors are not here that long. Sadly, only days after our 1st group of visitors allowed in with a pre-travel test, Kauai island is experiencing the highest numbers since the Pandemic began!! I wrote the Mayor asking his opinion of mandatory testing 3 days after arrival. I dont know how they could enforce this, or if its even possible, but imagine now the contact tracing they are going to have to be doing if he is your typical visitor; they hit Costco, stocking up, hit Walmart, several bars & restaurants, several beaches and places of interest, as well as the people on the plane with him. What a nightmare for him and the residents/essential workers that may have been in contact with him. What does Beat of Hawaii think of double testing?
Mahalo nui loa!
Hi Erin.
Thanks for asking. It is critical to both keep tourism open and things as safe as possible with our limited medical infrastructure. To the degree that helps, then it would seem beneficial. Given some time, and more available tests, that should help here.
Aloha.