A passenger was arrested at an Australian airport after he exited a stationary airliner through an emergency exit, walked along a wing, and then climbed down a jet engine to the tarmac, officials reported on Thursday.
The incident occurred after Jetstar Flight JQ507 arrived at Melbourne Airport from Sydney and had parked at a terminal gate. The unidentified man suddenly left the plane by the right-side emergency exit, causing a slide to automatically deploy from the back of the wing to the ground. However, instead of using the slide, the man walked along the wing and climbed down one of the Airbus A320’s engines.
Passengers on the flight were shocked by the man’s “erratic” behavior, which began shortly before he opened the hatch. Audrey Varghese, one of the passengers, described the scene as chaotic. “The man was exhibiting some quite strange behavior,” Varghese told Melbourne Radio 3AW. “As soon as the plane had started coming to a stop, he immediately got up and basically charged to where the emergency exit row is, shoving people and causing a commotion before he ripped open the emergency door.”
Another passenger, Maddison, told Nine News television that the man had been vaping during the 90-minute mid-morning flight, which is prohibited, and had unsuccessfully demanded alcohol from the flight crew.
Alerted by Jetstar staff, Australian Federal Police officers arrested the man for “alleged aggressive behavior and breaching aircraft safety protocols,” according to a police statement. He was assessed by paramedics and taken to a hospital for further evaluation. Authorities were continuing their investigation and indicated that charges were likely to be filed at a later date.
Melbourne Airport officials indicated that aircrew and ground staff initially detained the man before the police arrived. Social media images showed at least three ground staff members restraining him on the tarmac. An airport spokesperson commended the swift and efficient response from ground crew, ensuring no immediate danger to other passengers or airport staff.
Varghese, speaking from the baggage collection area an hour after the landing, mentioned that passengers had been informed the deployed slide had delayed the unloading of their luggage. Nine News reported that baggage was eventually released hours later.
