Southwest jet diverted after passenger endangers flight
A Southwest Airlines jet headed for Sacramento, California was diverted to Omaha, Nebraska after a frightening mid-air drama involving an unruly passenger.
It was reported the unnamed male passenger tried to open the rear hatch of the aircraft in mid-flight and had to be subdued by other passengers.
"He got up and went to the rear of the plane and tried to open up the hatch," according to Monique Lawler, another passenger who witnessed the drama as it unfolded.
Lawler said the man had been acting strangely prior to his actions and a flight attendant and other passengers began screaming.
The pilots effected an emergency landing at Omaha and the suspect was led away in handcuffs by police and TSA agents.
Southwest Airlines flight 722, which had departed Chicago Midway, continued on to Sacramento arriving round two hours behind schedule.
It is not yet clear if the arrested passenger will face any charges resulting from his actions.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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