In-air scare: Woman tries to open exit door during flight to Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. – Passengers on a cross-country Delta airlines flight from New York City to Portland got a scare when a distraught woman tried to open a cabin door while the plane was in flight.

Michelle Pendley, sitting in first class on Delta flight 386 Wednesday evening, said the scene was like something out of a movie when a distraught, screaming woman made her way to the front of the plane and tried to open an exit door.

Flight crew members restrained her and pulled her away from the door, Pendley said. Pendley snapped photos of the incident with her cell phone as crew members worked to calm the woman.

The flight was not diverted and the plane landed safely in Portland. The woman was taken into custody but reportedly was released and was not charged with a crime. The woman was also attended to by paramedics at PDX.

“It was surreal, like it wasn't happening or, you know, it was part of a movie or something,” Pendley told KATU News.” You know, things go in slow motion or something.”

PDX airport police and Portland police have not said yet if the woman will face any charges or what caused her to attempt to exit the plane while it was in flight.

Federal agents are also looking into the incident. The woman involved was not immediately identified.

 

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