- Chaos on flight from Vancouver to Sydney
- Passenger accused of trying to open emergency door
A man has been charged after allegedly trying to open an airplane’s emergency door in the middle of an international flight from Vancouver to Sydney.
The 33-year-old Canadian has been accused of threatening the security of a plane after the May 14 flight.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison or a $5,000 fine, or both.
Federal police allege that about two hours into the 15.5-hour flight, a passenger saw the man trying to open an emergency exit door and pulled him away.
The 33-year-old Canadian has been accused of threatening the security of a plane after the flight on May 14 (file image)
Airline staff took the man to a seat in the back of the plane and supervised him for the rest of the flight.
“The man is believed to have been drunk at the time of the incident,” an AFP spokesperson said.
When the plane landed in Sydney, he was arrested and charged with an alleged breach of the Civil Aviation Act of threatening the safety of aircraft.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Inspector Dom Stephenson says passengers should feel safe and not have to endure reckless behavior during the flight.
Man will face Downing Center Local Court in Sydney on Monday (file image)
“The AFP and our aviation partners do not tolerate anti-social, violent or dangerous behavior and we will take action,” he said.
“Passengers expect to feel safe and should not have to witness or endure intoxication or reckless behavior.”
The man will face Downing Center Local Court in Sydney on Monday.
