A passenger has been arrested after opening an emergency exit door and deploying the slide while a plane was taxiing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta.
In a press release on Wednesday, Nov. 26, the Atlanta Police Department said officers responded to an incident on Tuesday involving KLM Flight 622, which was scheduled to depart for Amsterdam.
According to authorities, the aircraft had to return to Ramp 9 after a passenger called 911 to report that there might be a weapon on board. Officers then boarded the plane and detained the caller, identified as 32-year-old Johannes Van Heertum.
Investigators said that Van Heertum believed he had seen another traveler with a weapon and appeared to panic, at which point he opened an emergency door and triggered the inflatable slide while the plane was taxiing.
Police added that Van Heertum “appeared to be experiencing a mental health episode” and was assessed by EMTs at the International Terminal Precinct before being charged with reckless conduct, criminal damage to property, and interfering with security measures. He was then taken to Clayton County Jail without incident.
Authorities said they also notified APD Homeland Security and noted that their information could change as the investigation continues.
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KLM confirmed in a statement that the incident involved an “unruly passenger” who opened an emergency door while the aircraft was taxiing for departure on November 25, and said local authorities are investigating. The airline added that the flight was ultimately canceled and that all other passengers were rebooked on the next available services.
Several passengers later described the frightening moments on board.
“He said someone had a gun on board, he was really loud, so we could all hear it,” Jack Anderson told Fox 5 Atlanta.
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According to the outlet, a crew member could be heard telling an air traffic controller that the “easiest way” to handle the situation was to remove the disruptive passenger where the plane was stopped, with police already present.
Passenger Jane Anderson said, “Things kind of escalated quickly and he ran and they pounced on him, but he had already opened the door to the aircraft.”
“We are glad that he didn’t open it mid-flight,” Jack added.
