Wed, May 30, 2007
Carrier Says No Threat Of Terrorist Activity
The Dubai Public Prosecution charged
an Emirates passenger with drinking and endangering aircraft and
passenger safety, because he opened the emergency door while the
aircraft was in motion at Dubai International Airport last
week.
"While taxiing to the terminal building after landing at the
Dubai International Airport on Thursday, an aircraft door on flight
EK040 from Birmingham was opened by a passenger. This caused the
emergency inflatable slides to automatically activate," said Sarah
Shaughnessy, spokesperson for Emirates.
During the hearing at the Dubai Court of First Instance, a
Canadian member of the cabin crew testified she went to the
restroom after the plane landed.
"When I came out I was surprised seeing the accused trying to
open the emergency door number five," she said. "I held the door's
handle to try and prevent him from opening it but he didn't care
and managed to open the door, making the emergency slide
appear."
The crew managed to subdue and restrain the British passenger
until authorities arrived.
None of the 300-plus passengers were injured but the aircraft
was damaged in the incident, according to The Gulf News.
Emirates officials have ruled out the possibility this incident
was part of a hijacking attempt or other such activity.
"The defendant's behavior endangered the plane ... The hot
temperature from the running engine could have gutted the chute.
The chute could have also hit the aircraft's body and caused plenty
of damage, but the pilot was attentive and stopped the plane
instantly," said a Jordanian chief engineer for the airline which
owns the damaged plane.
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