Passengers Restrain Woman Who Allegedly Tried to Open Plane Exit Door Mid-Flight

Passengers on a flight from Indianapolis to Detroit had to restrain a woman who allegedly attempted to open a plane’s exit door mid-flight on Monday evening.

The incident took place aboard Delta Flight 5972, which was operated by Republic Airlines, on Monday evening not too long after it took off from Indianapolis International Airport at 5:47 p.m.

The unidentified woman attempted to open the exit door located above the plane’s left wing, authorities said. Passengers intervened, restraining the woman until the plane landed at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport at 6:46 p.m.

Wayne County Airport Authority Police took the woman into custody as soon as the plane reached its destination.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport spokeswoman Erica Donerson said in a statement that she believes the woman was suffering from a health condition, adding that a preliminary investigation into the incident found she did not act out of criminal intent.

The FBI, which has jurisdiction over crimes committed in-flight, said in a statement Tuesday that no federal charges will be filed against the woman.

Republic Airlines spokesperson Jon Austin said the airline is apologizing to all passengers affected by the incident, adding that the flight landed in Detroit earlier than its scheduled arrival time.