British Airways Passenger Restrained After Failed Attempt to Open Exit Door (UPDATED)
A female passenger tried and failed to open a plane exit door on British Airways Flight 213 bound for Boston.
According to WCVB, the plane took off from London Heathrow Airport on Tuesday morning and is due to land in Boston at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Passenger on Boston-bound flight tries to enter cockpit https://t.co/zQMY3x2Nbt #breaking
— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) November 17, 2015
Initial reports suggested the passenger tried to open the cockpit, but ABC News subsequently reported that the passenger had tried to open one of the plane’s exit doors.
JUST IN: Unruly passenger tried to force open exit door on board British Airways flight bound for Boston. Flight to be met by state police. — ABC News (@ABC) November 17, 2015
A group of Massachusetts State Police, Homeland Security agents and the Joint Terrorism Task Force are waiting at Logan Airport in Boston.
UPDATE–1:34 p.m. ET: Mass. State Police tweeted that they were awaiting the plane at Logan Airport, where they would arrest the female passenger.
MSP Troopers awaiting British Airways flight at Logan on which passenger has been restrained. We will confirm more when possible.
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) November 17, 2015
Airline reported to MSP that female passenger has been restrained during flight, allegedly for trying to enter cockpit. — Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) November 17, 2015
British Airways Flight 213 reportedly on the ground. Troopers on jet bridge to take custody of restrained passenger, investigate incident.
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) November 17, 2015
UPDATE–1:47 p.m. ET: According to an airline spokesperson, the female passenger had tried to open one of the plane’s exit doors.
BREAKING: Passenger tried to force an exit door on the plane, not cockpit door: ABC New York, citing airline spokesperson — Reuters Top News (@Reuters) November 17, 2015
The earlier reports regarding the cockpit were, and remain, unconfirmed.
UPDATE–1:53 p.m. ET: An FAA spokesperson confirmed that the female passenger tried to open a plane exit door, and not gain entry to the cockpit.
UPDATE–2:04 p.m. ET: Mass. State Police report that the female passenger is approximately 30 years old.
Investigation ongoing by MSP and our federal law enforcement partners. Initial report indicate passenger is approx. 30 yr old.
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) November 17, 2015
The suspect, as well as the flight crew and the passengers, are currently being interviewed. UPDATE–2:09 p.m. ET: Mass. State Police say the passenger “was intoxicated” when she tried to open the exit door. No attempt was made on the cockpit.
Investigation determines passenger was intoxicated, tried to open EXIT door, not cockpit door. No known nexus to terrorism at this time. — Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) November 17, 2015
UPDATE–2:16 p.m. ET: A British Airways Flight 213 passenger posted a photo of the handcuffed female passenger to Instagram.
UPDATE–2:29 p.m. ET: Despite there being no terror threat, authorities remain on high alert at Logan Airport, as evidenced by this photo from a local WBZ reporter.
High security at Logan. But, the #BritishAirways incident appears to have been fueled by alcohol Not terrorism. pic.twitter.com/bKRwOsSVSY
— Lana Jones (@Lanawbz) November 17, 2015
We will update this story as more information becomes available.
[h/t WCVB]
[Image via screengrab]
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