Authorities in South Korea are still investigating an incident in
which a passenger was able to open an emergency exit door on an Asiana
Airlines flight as it approached the runway at Daegu International
Airport.
Passengers on the A321-200 aircraft were alarmed when the man managed
to open the emergency door with the plane still in the air, some 240km
short of the airport.
Video footage posted on social media showed passengers’ hair being
whipped about by air rushing into the cabin when the door opened.
The plane landed safely but several of 200 shocked passengers were
taken to hospital for observation, according to local reports.
Asiana Airlines has responded to the incident by banning the sale of
seats next to the emergency door. “As a safety precaution, this measure
will apply even if the flights are full,” the airline told AFP.
The man was arrested by authorities in Daegu for allegedly breaking aviation security laws.
He claimed he was stressed after losing his job.