South Korean police detained a man on Friday after he opened a door of an Asiana Airlines plane moments before its scheduled landing in the city of Daegu. The incident caused panic among the passengers and led to a swift response from airport officials.
The Airbus A321-200 plane, which had departed from Jeju Island approximately an hour earlier, eventually landed safely at around 12:40 p.m. (0340 GMT). However, the episode left a lasting impact on those on board. Nine teenage passengers were subsequently sent to the hospital due to breathing issues, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
One passenger, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared their experience with the Yonhap News Agency, saying, “I thought the plane was going to explode… It looked like passengers next to the open door were fainting.” The witness further revealed that the cabin crew had made an urgent announcement during the flight, asking if there were any doctors among the passengers.
Footage aired on television, reportedly filmed by a passenger, captured the tense moments just before the landing. The video showed the door wide open, with wind rushing into the cabin as fellow passengers sat nearby, clearly concerned about their safety.
In response to the incident, the transport ministry issued a statement confirming that the police had detained the individual responsible for opening the door. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine if any aviation safety laws were violated. Additionally, they are examining whether Asiana Airlines followed the necessary protocols for managing emergency exits.
According to a transport ministry official, it is technically possible to open an emergency exit when the aircraft is near the ground, as the pressure inside and outside the cabin tends to be similar during that phase of the flight. As the plane was only a couple of minutes away from landing, the male passenger seated next to the emergency exit opened a cover and pulled a lever, resulting in the door opening when the aircraft was approximately 200 meters (656 feet) off the ground, as confirmed by an Asiana spokesperson.
The spokesperson clarified that all passengers were seated with their seat belts fastened, as is standard procedure during the landing phase. Following the incident, images emerged showing an open emergency door near the plane’s left wing, with a deployed escape slide detached from it.
Sohn Myong-hwan, a professor at South Korea’s Sehan University’s aviation maintenance department, expressed concern over the situation, stating, “It is particularly dangerous during landing and takeoff, so someone from the flight staff should have stopped that passenger.” He emphasized the importance of preventing such incidents, as they pose significant risks during critical phases of the flight.
As investigations continue, experts argue that the airline may bear some responsibility for the incident, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to safety protocols. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining security and following proper procedures to ensure the well-being of passengers during air travel.