Passenger at LAX Detained For Allegedly Triggering Emergency Slide

A passenger aboard a Delta flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Seattle was detained Saturday for allegedly opening an emergency exit door aboard the plane and causing the emergency slide to be activated.

The action happened at approximately 10 a.m., as the airplane pushed away from the gate. Los Angeles Airport Police detained the passenger for further investigation, according to Capt. Karla Rodriguez. 

"He clearly was agitated, or nervous or anxious or freaked out about something," said Gillian Sheldon, a passenger onboard the plane.

Sheldon described the demeanor of the uncooperative Delta flight passenger accused of running to the emergency exit right before takeoff and ignoring the flight attendant's orders.

"She looked at him and said 'you need to go back to your seat,' and he said 'what do I do now,' and turned and grabbed the door," Sheldon said. "She said, 'you cannot open the door' and grabbed him and within two seconds he opened the door."

Sheldon was sitting towards the front of the plane and saw the entire interaction between the passenger and flight attendant. Within minutes she saw firefighters and police swarm the LAX tarmac and captured video of the passenger being detained.

“Due to the circumstances, FBI has been notified,” Rodriguez said. “The aircraft was returned to a gate and passengers are in the process of being deplaned in order to be transported in another aircraft so that they can continue with their flight plans.”

She added that no arrests were made but the “subject was transported to a local hospital for a mental evaluation.”

Sheldon said that passengers never felt in danger but were more so taken by surprise about the situation.