(CTN News) – A passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight was taken to a hospital for evaluation after he opened the emergency exit hatch and exited onto the wing of the plane, according to officials.
The incident occurred at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport while the plane was stationary on the skyway.
The reason behind the Southwest Airlines passenger’s decision to open the emergency exit remains unclear. The individual was apprehended on the tarmac and subsequently transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
The nature of the hospitalization has not been disclosed by officials. NBC News has contacted the sheriff’s office to obtain further information.
The sheriff’s office has referred the incident to federal authorities for investigation, suggesting potential violations of federal laws or regulations.
No criminal charges have been filed yet, indicating an ongoing investigation. Southwest Airlines experienced a short delay before the flight to Atlanta, possibly due to security checks or law enforcement involvement.
However, the flight proceeded to Baltimore as planned, indicating no immediate safety concerns.
The situation is still under investigation, and further updates from law enforcement officials are needed to understand the full extent and potential consequences.
The airline expressed its Southwest Airlines appreciation for the prompt response of its flight and ground crews and extended its apologies to its customers for any inconvenience caused.
The airport confirmed that an incident occurred where a passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight deplaned without authorization but declined to provide further details and referred inquiries to the sheriff’s office.
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