Thread: Thai Man Attempts to Open Airplane's Emergency Door In-Flight

SONGKHLA — A man from Phattalung province has been arrested for allegedly trying to open an emergency door of an aircraft while it was flying 10,000 feet over southern Thailand yesterday.

Police said the incident took place on Lion Air's flight SL8542, which was flying from Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport to Hat Yai Airport in Songkhla province on 25 June.

Three off-duty police officers on the plane reportedly tackled the man, who has been identified as a 30-year-old engineer named Amnat, after they saw him attempt to open the emergency exit door. Police said 160 people were on board the plane at the time.

Lion Air, which is owned by the national flag carrier Thai Airways, contacted authorities after the plane landed in Songkhla.

"The suspect said he committed the act because he was stressed," said Pol.Col. Pansak Meesaeng, superintendent of Klong Hoi Khong Police Station. Amnat also said he was severely sleep deprived and was having suicidal thoughts, according to police.

Amnat has been charged with violating aircraft commander's safety instructions, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and 40,000 baht fine.

Thai Man Attempts to Open Airplane's Emergency Door In-Flight

One would think the penalty would be 160 counts of attempted murder....

The suspect said he committed the act because he was stressed," said Pol.Col. Pansak Meesaeng, superintendent of Klong Hoi Khong Police Station. Amnat also said he was severely sleep deprived and was having suicidal thoughts, according to police.

I can understand a stressed out person wanting to.kill themselves but taking out an entire aircraft and it's passengers is a little excessive.

the chickenhead was wasting his time and effort.

it is impossible to open an aircraft door whilst the plane is in flight, i.e. pressurised

or a U.S. drone?

Originally Posted by Stinky

or a U.S. drone?

It's a whole new business, helping stressed out, over worked drones deal with the psychological effects of the havoc they've caused after decommissioning.

Originally Posted by CSFFan

Originally Posted by Stinky

or a U.S. drone?

It's a whole new business, helping stressed out, over worked drones deal with the psychological effects of the havoc they've caused after decommissioning.

Yeh they're totally irrational at the best of times

Originally Posted by Stinky

Yeh they're totally irrational at the best of times

Much like the people on either side of the drone's controls.....

I hear that!

Originally Posted by taxexile

the chickenhead was wasting his time and effort. it is impossible to open an aircraft door whilst the plane is in flight, i.e. pressurised

The attempt was made at 10,000ft according to the OP. Differential pressure would be negligible at this altitude....

Nope, not possible, even at that height. There is still pressure albeit less but certainly sufficient to defeat any human being who doesn't have a hydraulic Jack and I don't think they are permitted as cabin baggage.

Hercules himself could spend all his time tugging away but the door won't open. There are other locks too, I believe.

^ I was thinking of the legendary D B Cooper...but I guess things have changed

Well lets hope IAMATWAT has his photo circulated around all the airlines and is given a lifetime flying ban by all of them .

Thick drongo , these people should really stick to they're uninsured / unlicensed Waves as they're number 1 form of transport

...who doesn't have a hydraulic Jack and I don't think they are permitted as cabin baggage....

Going through the VIP entrance, Somchai could easily carry one in his medicine pouch.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Nope, not possible

yes - it is like trying to access gullivers with your sausage out

It seems that a week can’t go by without hearing the latest story about a passenger who went cuckoo and tried to yank open an emergency exit, only to be tackled and restrained by those around him, who thought they were on the verge of being ejected into the troposphere.

While the news never fails to report these events, it seldom mentions the most important fact: You cannot – repeat, cannot – open the doors or emergency hatches of an airplane in flight. You can’t open them for the simple reason that cabin pressure won’t allow it. Think of an aircraft door as a drain plug, fixed in place by the interior pressure. Almost all aircraft exits open inward. Some retract upward into the ceiling; others swing outward; but they open inward first, and not even the most musclebound human will overcome the force holding them shut. At a typical cruising altitude, up to eight pounds of pressure are pushing against every square inch of interior fuselage. That’s over 1,100 pounds against each square foot of door. Even at low altitudes, where cabin pressure levels are much less, a meager 2 p.s.i. differential is still more than anyone can displace — even after six cups of coffee and the aggravation that comes with sitting behind a shrieking baby. The doors are further held secure by a series of electrical and/or mechanical latches.

What if somebody opens a door during flight?

Originally Posted by baldrick

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seekingasylum Nope, not possible yes - it is like trying to access gullivers with your sausage out

Heh...Another pressurized situation...