Moments of tension and panic unfolded this Saturday at 10,000 feet when a passenger on Plus Ultra flight 701 to Caracas attempted to open one of the aircraft’s doors. According to the airline, the man showed “apparent signs of mental disturbance.” The incident occurred while the Airbus A330, departing from Madrid, was flying over the Atlantic Ocean.
Before attempting to open the door, the passenger had already caused trouble on board. According to company sources, he became restless, disturbing the person seated next to him by shouting and hitting them while they slept. In response, the crew relocated him to another seat to prevent further disruptions and keep him under supervision.
However, shortly after, the man suddenly got up and headed toward one of the aircraft’s doors, attempting to manipulate it. The crew reacted immediately, restraining him and securing him in the rear of the plane, where he remained under constant watch until landing in Caracas. According to the airline, two crew members stayed with him at all times to prevent further incidents or self-harm.
During the struggle to subdue him, a crew member suffered a partial fracture of the fibula. The employee received medical attention and will be on leave for several weeks.
Despite the initial panic among passengers, the airline assured that the safety of the flight was never at risk. In modern aircraft, once an altitude of around 10,000 feet is reached, the pressure difference between the cabin and the outside effectively seals the doors, making it impossible to open them mid-flight.
Some planes also have an automatic locking system that prevents the doors from being opened once a certain speed is reached, making it nearly impossible for them to be activated during takeoff or flight.
However, similar incidents have occurred before. In 2023, a passenger managed to open an emergency exit on an Asiana Airlines Airbus A321 while the aircraft was making its final approach to the runway. In that case, the plane had descended low enough that the pressure difference was minimal, allowing the door to open without difficulty.
