A man identified as 36-year-old Jamsheer Athanikkal was arrested after allegedly trying to open an emergency exit on a Batik Air flight from Malaysia to India while the plane was at about 30,000 feet. Officers say he damaged the exit window panel and threatened crew and passengers before being restrained with zip ties. He was arrested at Kochi Airport and faces multiple charges, including an attempted murder count added by police, who will also seek a mental health assessment. Video of the incident circulated on social media and investigators continue to probe the case.
Passenger Allegedly Tried to Open Plane Emergency Exit at 30,000 Feet, Saying He 'Felt Like Doing So'
Batik Air Malaysia flightCredit: Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty
A passenger aboard a Batik Air flight from Malaysia to India was arrested after he allegedly attempted to open an aircraft emergency exit while the plane was cruising at roughly 30,000 feet on Aug. 7.
Police identified the suspect as 36-year-old Jamsheer Athanikkal, who was reportedly seated in 12A. According to reports from the Press Trust of India, The Indian Express and The Deccan Chronicle, the episode took place midair between about 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.
A police officer told The Indian Express that Athanikkal "without any provocation" tried to open the emergency exit and damaged the exit window panel. The officer added that he threatened co-passengers and crew members who attempted to stop him, and that other passengers and cabin staff ultimately overpowered and restrained him.
Airplane emergency exit (stock)Credit: Getty
Video clips shared on social media show cabin crew using zip ties to secure the man. Footage also appears to show visible scratches on the exit window and significant damage to the surrounding plastic interior panels.
GB News reported the aircraft was about 30,000 feet above ground when the incident occurred. Upon arrival at Kochi Airport, authorities arrested Athanikkal and initially charged him with criminal intimidation, failing to follow official safety directions and risking public safety, The Deccan Chronicle said. Police later added an attempted murder charge, saying the act could have endangered fellow passengers.
Officials told reporters they plan to seek a mental health assessment to determine his condition at the time of the alleged act. When asked about his motive, a police officer told The Indian Express that Athanikkal "said he felt like doing so at that moment" and that he was "coming home to see his newborn."
Batik Air and the local Nedumbassery police station did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to People. The case remains under investigation.
Help us improve.
