A ‘claustrophobic’ plane passenger has opened an emergency exit during takeoff.
The woman’s actions led to an evacuation slide being deployed, and the flight was cancelled.
There were 209 people on board the aircraft at the time.
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The crew had just finished making their announcements and were taxiing along the runway when it happened.
The 30-year-old woman reportedly unbuckled her seatbelt and jumped up from her seat in row 9C.
According to reports, she rushed to the front of the plane and forcibly opened the emergency exit.
A flight attendant tried to stop the young woman, but the door opened with a loud popping sound and the slide extended to the ground.
The flight was subsequently grounded at Jeju International Airport in South Korea at around 8.15am this morning (15 Apr).
Air Seoul flight RS902 to Gimpo International Airport in Seoul was then evacuated.
There were 202 passengers and seven crew members on board.
One passenger, named Mr Kim, said: “The plane was about to depart from the runway when a woman suddenly started swearing and ran forwards, saying she was claustrophobic.
“The flight attendant near the door tried to stop her but was too late.
“Immediately after the door opened, cabin crew and male passengers ran over to stop the woman.
“They made her sit in row 1 so she couldn’t move.”
Another traveller, Mr Lee, said: “She said strange things that made me think she was drunk.
“I would never have imagined that she would open the door, but when it opened and smoke came out, the other passengers became confused.
“I was trapped in that plane for two and a half hours because of that person.”
Police officers boarded the plane and arrested the woman for violating the Aviation Security Act, as reported by Need To Know.
She reportedly told the cops: “I felt claustrophobic and was suffocating, so I opened the door.”
The plane was held up on the runway for over an hour before being towed.
Air Seoul had to cancel a series of flights due to the incident.
Over 400 passengers were said to be affected by cancellations and delays.
An Air Seoul official said: “We are providing alternative flights to passengers on cancelled flights in accordance with our guidelines.”
The investigation into the woman’s alleged act is ongoing.
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