niceneasy
4th May 2006, 08:38
May 4, 2006 - 3:03PM
(Australia)
:confused: A man opened the door of a plane and jumped out as it prepared for take-off at a South Coast airport this morning.
The 33-year-old man, who is believed to be American, jumped out while the Regional Express plane's engines were running at Merimbula Airport.
The plane, which was stationary, had been readying for a flight to Melbourne about 11am.
The SAAB 340's doors had been closed and locked for take-off when the man sprang from his seat and demanded to be let off, police said.
A crew member was believed to have told the man he was unable to get off, but he then opened the plane's door and jumped out, police said.
"The man jumped out of plane and onto the tarmac," a police spokeswoman said.
"The pilot, seeing the man on the ground, instigated emergency procedures to shut the engine down.
"The airport staff held the man until police and ambulance arrived.
"The man, believed to be an American citizen, was taken to Pambula hospital for assessment.
"No crew members or passengers were harmed and there was no damage to the plane."
Police believe someone from the plane restrained the man after he ran onto the tarmac.
The man was in custody pending further investigations, police said.
An ambulance was called to Merimbula airport about 11am, but the man had not been injured and no treatment was required, a spokesman said.
Comment was being sought from Regional Express.
(Australia)
:confused: A man opened the door of a plane and jumped out as it prepared for take-off at a South Coast airport this morning.
The 33-year-old man, who is believed to be American, jumped out while the Regional Express plane's engines were running at Merimbula Airport.
The plane, which was stationary, had been readying for a flight to Melbourne about 11am.
The SAAB 340's doors had been closed and locked for take-off when the man sprang from his seat and demanded to be let off, police said.
A crew member was believed to have told the man he was unable to get off, but he then opened the plane's door and jumped out, police said.
"The man jumped out of plane and onto the tarmac," a police spokeswoman said.
"The pilot, seeing the man on the ground, instigated emergency procedures to shut the engine down.
"The airport staff held the man until police and ambulance arrived.
"The man, believed to be an American citizen, was taken to Pambula hospital for assessment.
"No crew members or passengers were harmed and there was no damage to the plane."
Police believe someone from the plane restrained the man after he ran onto the tarmac.
The man was in custody pending further investigations, police said.
An ambulance was called to Merimbula airport about 11am, but the man had not been injured and no treatment was required, a spokesman said.
Comment was being sought from Regional Express.