Passenger arrested after ‘opening door of plane as it was taking off’

This is the moment a tourist allegedly tried to open a plane door after during take-off in Thailand.

Canadian tourist Wong Sai Heung, 40, said he experienced a panic attack as the Thai Airways flight began its departure from Chiang Main International airport yesterday.

The doors had already been sealed and the plan had began moving, marking the start of the journey to Bangkok.

But Heung, from Vancouver, reportedly began screaming and demanded the flight attendants open the plane door of the Airbus A320.

He managed to run towards the door and push it open, causing the slide to deploy while the plane was waiting to join the runway.

Heung was guided back to his seat by airline staff before police officers arrested him.

He said: ‘I was very paranoid and had anxiety, it was the thing I had last time on the trip to Vietnam, but it’s pretty much, the second big trip, but it was a big panic attack.

‘I thought I was getting killed in that spot. I’m not doing well.’

Wong Sai Heung, 40, (pictured in green) said he experienced a panic attack and tried to open the plane door (Picture: ViralPress)

By opening the door Heung caused the slide to deploy (Picture: ViralPress)

Police said: ‘Officers arrested 40-year-old Canadian computer engineer Wong Sai Heung for causing an act likely to endanger the safety of the aircraft.

‘Heung testified confusingly and he claimed he had a panic attack. He was detained before questioning further and the Canadian Embassy, Tourist Police, and an interpreter to assist in the investigation have been brought in to assist with the investigation.

‘The airport’s legal department is also now involved with checking potential additional charges according to aviation laws.’

The flight was cancelled, forcing other passengers to to stay in a hotel while they waited for their flight to Bangkok to be rescheduled.

Heung, from Vancouver, began screaming and demanded the flight attendants open the plane door (Picture: ViralPress)

He was arrested after opening the plane doors (Picture: ViralPress)

Heung was guided back to his seat by airline staff before police officers arrested him (Picture: ViralPress)

One of the passengers, Watcharapon Pethsurp, said: ‘A plane was about to take off but someone panicked and tried to open the door.

‘As far as I know, at 9.45 PM, the plane was about to leave before there was a scream and then an announcement from a flight attendant saying that someone panicked and attempted to leave through the exit, causing it to slide open.

‘The plane was unable to fly, and we had to wait for the mechanics to take it back to the pit stop.’

Thai Airways said: ‘There was a passenger who opened a plane door, prompting the mechanics to be sent for inspection and repair according to security standards.

‘The flight was able to depart on February 8 at 12.34 am with all passengers, pilots, and flight attendants safely onboard.’

Wing Commander Ronakorn Chalermsanyakorn, Director of Chiang Mai Airport, said the control tower reported to the airport that the plane was preparing for take-off when the door was opened.

He said: ‘A passenger opened the plane door, causing the seat to slide and spread out, resulting in the aircraft being unable to fly and it was stuck in the middle of the runway, resulting in other flights being unable to take off and take off at Chiang Mai Airport for a while.’

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