BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - An unruly passenger forced a flight from New York to Seattle to make an emergency landing in Minneapolis Monday morning.
According to airline officials, the passenger attempted to open a door at the rear of the aircraft while the plane was in the air. Crews on Flight 7, from JFK International Airport on its way to Sea-Tac International Airport, were forced to request an emergency landing in Minnesota, so the passenger could be removed.
The Alaska Airline flight landed at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport around 9:45 a.m.
After the passenger was removed, and taken into custody by law enforcement officers at MSP, the flight resumed its flight, where it was expected to land at 11:40 a.m. in Seattle.
Officers say the passenger was restrained on the flight due to his erratic behavior. When authorities escorted him off the plane, they determined he presented a threat to himself and transported him to Fairview Southdale Hospital for mental health treatment.
There were 181 passengers on board at the time of the disruption.
An Alaska Airlines spokesperson said the trouble-making passenger was unsuccessful in their attempts to open the aircraft door as it's physically impossible while the plane is pressurized and inflight.
