Albuquerque police report that an American Airlines flight from Albuquerque to Chicago had to make an emergency landing after passengers reported they had to restrain an unnamed unruly passenger who was allegedly trying to open an emergency exit door.
The passengers said they had to place restraints on him and carry him to the back of plane until they landed and police were able to board the plane.
A passenger video recorded part of the incident.
A passenger is accused of attempting to open the emergency door exit during an American Airlines flight from Albuquerque to Chicago. Video footage from inside the aircraft depicts fellow passengers restraining the man while the plane diverts back to the Sunport for an emergency landing.
Despite the tense situation, the video shows the man cooperating peacefully with law enforcement officers during his arrest.
Lapel footage captures officers conducting interviews with flight staff and witnesses who recount the incident. One witness, who assisted in restraining the individual, remarks, “I had his arms and his legs. It didn’t feel like he was struggling. It could have just been adrenaline, too, of all of us just holding him down.”
Based on statements provided to investigators, it appears that the man may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident.