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WestJet flight WS710 was scheduled to fly between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), but diverted to Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG) after a passenger tried to open a door while in flight.
An 18-year-old man from Victoria was charged with endangering an aircraft under the Aeronatics Act and caused the diversion around 4:00 PM on Friday. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) met the aircraft in Winnipeg and took the passenger into custody. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 23rd.
A WestJet spokesperson issued a statement to CBC, it read:
Crew and other passengers had intervened and held him until they landed in Winnipeg. He was arrested without incident. Our crew are trained to handle passengers who may pose a safety hazard to themselves or others, as well as in de-escalating many situations to protect everyone onboard.”
WestJet reminded passengers that it’s not possible to open pressurized airplane doors when flying at high altitudes. It was able to reaccommodate the passengers and get them to Toronto on Friday after the incident.
Anthony’s Take: This is not the first passenger to try to open a door in flight recently. Last month, passengers on two different Air Canada flights attempted to open doors (more here). One succeeded as the plane was parked at the gate and he fell 20 feet below.
(Image Credits: WestJet.)
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