Woman Opens Emergency Exit & Uses Inflatable Slide To Exit Plane, Arrested

A woman was arrested after she escaped an airplane through the emergency exit and inflatable slide just before takeoff at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, in New York, U.S.

Cynthia McKnight, from Sacramento, allegedly ran around on the airport tarmac before being apprehended by police, WIVB 4 reported.

Representational Image/AFP

The pilot was reportedly ready to take off, but because of the 'unruly behaviour' of the passenger, had to return to the gate when the incident occurred.

¡°Cynthia McKnight faces a number of charges including disorderly conduct, harassment, trespass and criminal mischief,¡± NFTA Director of Public Affairs Helen Tederous told the outlet.

As per the report, the detectives said that McKnight opened the cabin door of the plane, and deployed the emergency slide. She then used the slide to exit the airplane onto the tarmac.

Spencer Brown, an offensive tackle for the National Football League's (NFL) Buffalo Bills, was on the plane and tweeted about the incident afterwards.

Sitting on a plane. A lady is pissed. Lady pulls the emergency inflatable slide to escape the plane. Lady is running wild through the tarmac currently. Cops have arrived. Flight ruined. Memories made. Noice ??

¡ª Spencer Brown (@TooTallo_o) April 19, 2022

¡°Sitting on a plane. A lady is pissed. Lady pulls the emergency inflatable slide to escape the plane. Lady is running wild through the tarmac currently. Cops have arrived. Fight ruined. Memories made. Noice,¡± he tweeted.

And off into the sunset she goes folks ? pic.twitter.com/ig4FFtE5An

¡ª Spencer Brown (@TooTallo_o) April 19, 2022

He later posted a photo of the slide (above) on the tarmac from his spot on the plane.

The pilot was forced to return the plane to the gate following the incident.

¡°Shortly after pushback from the gate at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) on April 19, American Eagle Flight 3933, with service to Chicago O¡¯Hare International Airport (ORD), returned to the gate due to a disruptive customer," American Airlines said in a statement.

"Prior to reattaching the jet bridge, the disruptive customer opened the main boarding door, which deployed the emergency slide, and exited the aircraft onto the ramp. The individual was quickly apprehended by local law enforcement and has been placed on American¡¯s internal refuse list pending further investigation," they added.

It was reported that 65 other passengers and four crew members were on board the plane at the time of the incident. No injuries were reported, according to American Airlines. Following the incident, the plane was taken out of service and all of the passengers were rebooked on alternate flights.

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