Passenger Reportedly Duct-Taped After Trying To Open Exit Door On American Airlines Flight

Other travelers and flight attendants reportedly restrained the passenger with duct tape, witnesses say.

An American Airlines passenger tried to open an emergency exit door mid-air during a flight, according to multiple passengers.

The chaotic incident on Tuesday prompted other passengers and airline crew to restrain the unidentified passenger on the Chicago-bound flight, witnesses said.

Flight 1219 was forced to return to Albuquerque, New Mexico, mid-flight after takeoff “due to a disturbance in the cabin involving a disruptive customer,” an American Airlines spokesperson said in a statement to CNN.

“The flight landed safely and the aircraft was met by local law enforcement upon arrival,” the company added.

Zach Etkind, a fellow passenger on the flight, told CNN that the startling incident took place about 20 minutes after the plane took off.