Having a panic attack on a plane can be terrifying. Even if you’re not afraid of flying itself, being trapped in a metal tube at 35,000 feet doesn’t exactly create the most calming atmosphere — especially when something frightening starts to happen mid-flight.
While it’s understandable for someone to feel overwhelmed in that kind of situation, trying to open the plane’s door in midair isn’t typically the go-to response. Panic attacks are one thing. Rushing the exit like it’s a fire drill is another.
That’s exactly what reportedly happened recently aboard an American Airlines flight. A woman, allegedly experiencing a mental health episode, attempted to open the forward boarding door while the plane was still in the air. She also reportedly bit a flight attendant during the chaos — behavior that understandably set off a chain reaction among the crew and passengers.
Now, before you picture some dramatic movie scene with passengers being sucked out the door into the sky, let’s take a step back. Opening a commercial airplane door while it’s flying isn’t just dangerous — it’s practically impossible.
There are a few reasons for that. First, the doors are mechanically locked. And second — and more importantly — the cabin is pressurized. The pressure difference between the inside and outside of the plane makes it physically impossible to open the door at cruising altitude. As aerospace engineer Steve Wright explains, “That big handle on the door? It’s locked shut.” The only time the doors can actually be opened is when the plane is on the ground and the pressure is equalized.
Still, when someone rushes toward the door mid-flight, it’s treated as a serious threat — regardless of whether the door can actually open or not.
A passenger onboard the flight shared the experience on TikTok under the handle @lol.ariee, describing how the incident unfolded. According to her, it all started with flight attendants rushing up and down the aisles, locking bathrooms, and pulling bags from overhead bins. No one really knew what was going on, and there was a rising sense of confusion and unease.
Eventually, the pilot reportedly got on the intercom and told passengers there was a “bad situation” on board. That’s when the tension really ramped up.
According to @lol.ariee, the woman began yelling that she needed to get off the plane, running toward the exits and banging on the doors. She was visibly distressed and seemed desperate to get out. A flight attendant later told passengers that the woman “had an outburst” and was trying to “walk off the plane.”
That’s when things got physical. The crew reportedly had to restrain her and force her into a seat. And then, they duct-taped her to it. Yes — actual duct tape.
The airline later confirmed the incident and said the woman had to be restrained “for the safety and security of other customers and our crew.” They also said she assaulted and bit one of the flight attendants.
While some may see the duct tape approach as excessive, others argue it was a last resort to control a dangerous situation. It’s not every day someone tries to open a plane door mid-flight and starts biting the crew.
According to the airline, the passenger was placed on their internal no-fly list. She was also hit with a massive fine — reportedly around $81,950 — for her behavior during the flight.
Though the woman is believed to have suffered a mental health episode, the incident has sparked debate about how airlines handle in-flight emergencies, particularly those involving passengers in distress. Some argue there needs to be more support or better training for handling such situations, while others point out that when safety is on the line, the crew has to act fast.
No one was seriously hurt, and the plane landed safely. But for everyone on board, it’s not a flight they’ll likely forget anytime soon.
Watch the video below:
Sources: Taphaps, Distractify, ladbible
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