A flight bound for the Los Angeles International Airport was diverted back to Denver Thursday after a shirtless passenger attempted to open the airplane's exit door during the flight.
Spirit Airlines Flight 185 departed from Cleveland and was on its way to LAX when the incident happened. Several passengers were able to capture footage of the incident. In one video, passengers and crew members were seen holding down the man near the plane's exit door.
One passenger said that the man emerged half-naked from the restroom before he attempted to open the exit door while the plane was in flight. The man was eventually overpowered and held down in a seat.
A video showed passengers and crew members tying down the man on a seat using zip ties. Once the flight arrived back in Denver, authorities boarded the plane and arrested the man. He was then escorted off the plane.
Another video showed the man being wheeled out of the plane on a gurney by paramedics. He was also escorted by law enforcement agents and by a person wearing a Transportation Security Administration.
"It is important to note that opening a door inflight is impossible due to air pressure inside the cabin pinning the door against its frame with force stronger than any person could ever overcome," Spirit Airlines said in a statement.
The airline said safety is its number one priority. The airline confirmed that the man is now in custody. The company thanked all of the crew members and passengers that assisted in retraining the man.
The Federal Aviation Administration said that the man was described by passengers as "unruly." The agency said that no one in the flight was hurt and the plane landed safely in Denver without incident.
The man's identity has not yet been disclosed. Airport authorities have also not yet released a comment about the incident.
