A 36-year-old man was arrested after allegedly attempting to open an emergency exit on a Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi while the aircraft was in the air.
The incident reportedly caused panic among passengers, with fellow travellers and cabin crew stepping in to restrain the man before the situation could escalate.
The passenger, identified as Jamsheer Athanikkal, was travelling on Batik Air flight OD231, a Boeing 737, from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi on Wednesday night, Aug. 5.
According to a First Information Report (FIR) filed with police, the incident happened between about 9.30pm and 11.05pm while the aircraft was airborne.
Passenger allegedly damaged emergency exit panel
Police alleged that Athanikkal used his foot to damage the inner window panel of the aircraft’s emergency exit.
He then allegedly attempted to force the emergency door open and threatened passengers and members of the cabin crew.
The situation was brought under control after passengers and airline staff intervened and restrained him.
A fellow passenger, identified as Matty Mathew, later described the frightening incident in a social media post accompanied by a video.
According to Mathew, many passengers had been asleep during the flight when they were suddenly awakened by the sound of air rushing through the cabin.
He claimed that the passenger seated near the emergency exit had damaged the window and interfered with the door.
Cabin pressure kept door shut
The aircraft’s cabin pressure and door design meant that the emergency exit remained closed despite the alleged attempt to open it.
Passengers and Batik Air crew members subsequently intervened and restrained the man.
Mathew described the experience as extremely frightening but said passengers and crew members were ultimately safe.
The aircraft continued to Kochi, where police took Athanikkal into custody after the flight landed early on Thursday, Aug. 6.
Man faces several charges
The case was registered following a complaint filed by Batik Air’s security officer at Kochi.
Police said a detailed investigation is ongoing.
Athanikkal has been booked under Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation, Section 11A of the Aircraft Act for allegedly violating safety or security directions, and Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act for acts allegedly endangering public safety.
If proven guilty, the allegations could carry serious consequences given that the incident allegedly occurred while the aircraft was in flight.
The incident has also raised concerns over passenger behaviour and aviation safety, particularly because interfering with an aircraft’s emergency exit can potentially put hundreds of people at risk.
Another flight scare reported days earlier
The arrest came just two days after another aviation incident involving an Indian carrier.
Air India flight AI2379, travelling from Phuket in Thailand to Delhi, experienced a sudden loss of altitude while cruising on Aug. 4.
The aircraft, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, eventually landed safely in Delhi.
Thirteen passengers and four crew members were subsequently admitted to hospital for treatment.
Air India said it had notified the relevant regulators and was co-operating with the investigation into the incident.
The airline also said passenger and crew safety remained its top priority while assistance was being provided to those affected.