ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An American Airlines flight from Albuquerque International Sunport was forced to return to the airport on Tuesday due to a disruptive customer. According to a statement from American Airlines, the flight returned after takeoff, and local law enforcement responded to the incident.
Passenger Emma Ritz reported that a man attempted to open the emergency door while the plane was in the air. She described how the man, seated at the emergency exit, managed to crack open the window protecting the handle and was screaming that he wanted to get out before being restrained. Another passenger, Daniel Lewis, confirmed the disturbance, noting that the pressure felt by those near the window alerted everyone to the situation.
Video from Ritz’s phone shows male passengers subduing the man by duct-taping his feet and putting on flex cuffs. According to Blaze Ward, one of the passengers who helped restrain the man, the situation quickly turned chaotic. The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the incident, which resulted in the safe landing of the flight back in New Mexico at around 2:40 p.m.
The plane was en route to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago before the disruption occurred. The Albuquerque International Sunport confirmed the incident, and the FBI is also investigating. However, the FBI has yet to release any information regarding the incident at this time.
Passenger Lorie Lewis expressed her subsequent trauma after processing the events that unfolded on the flight. The disruptive behavior of the man clearly caused distress among the passengers, leading to a safe but unexpected return to the departure airport. The FAA and other relevant authorities will continue to investigate the incident to ensure the safety and security of all passengers in the future.