Merimbula-Man leaps from plane set for take off

[drshmoo]

Rex should put that guy on a nuissance list and not let him fly again. Is there a troublesome passenger list that airlines have and if they do, it should be shared throughout the industry. Idiots like this put their own life in danger and possibly the life of the biscuit chucker, not to mention the potential cost of destroying a part of the aircraft and all the negative publicity that goes with the territory.

I dont fly for REX (nor want to at the moment) but have nothing but admiration for their proffessionalism as a peer and sometimes passenger.

[Sunfish]

There has been an international "No Fly" list since at least the mid 70's. My guess is that this guy just made it.

[dinoburner]

I was on a Swissair flight in the late 80s and watched in horror as a pax started fiddling with the overwing emerg exit handle, in the cruise.

Dad (yes, I was a wee-tacker then) grabbed the guy's hand and pressed the hostie call button. Explained the situ, and all the chap got was a "Please sir, don't touch any part of the emerg exit", and a 'sweet-as-swiss-maid' smile.

How times have changed.

[Shapeshifter]

A Few Fines
Bethany Dortmans and Carla Rankine
Wednesday, 10 May 2006
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A man who leapt out of an aeroplane about to depart from the Merimbula Airport last Thursday could face hefty fines from the Civil Aviation Security Authority [CASA].
CASA spokesperson, Peter Gibson, said that the man faced a number of possible offences including failure to have seatbelt fastened [$110], offensive and disorderly behaviour [$550] and failure to comply with direction from crew [$330].

The nature of the fines will depend on police information which CASA had not received at the time of print on Tuesday.

It is unlikely that the man will face any court charges, Mr Gibson said.

The American male passenger, believed to be in his 30s, caused a major security scare when he pushed past a flight attendant, opened the left-side main cabin door and jumped off the Regional Express [Rex] plane.

The Rex flight to Melbourne had been secured and the plane was preparing for take-off when the incident occurred.

While the right engine had been started, the plane was still stationary, and the man was able to jump out of the plane and land on the tarmac.

A passenger who was sitting near the man on the plane described the situation as "very bizarre."

"Everyone was boarded, then the propellers started and everything seemed fine," she said.

"Suddenly this guy just jumped up, leaving his wallet and everything behind, pushed the flight attendant aside, opened the door and jumped out of the plane.

"I guess he just panicked but it was so weird; we were entirely stunned."

Police were called to the scene and the man was detained.

The remaining passengers and luggage were offloaded so police could conduct a security check to ensure the plane was safe to depart.

Merimbula ambulance officers also attended the airport and while the man was uninjured he was later taken to Pambula District Hospital for assessment.

The police have since handed the matter over to CASA.

Mr Gibson said any illnesses or disorders the man had would also have some impact on the action taken by CASA.

This would be determined by the hospital assessment, he said.

The plane, which had been scheduled to leave at 10.50am, eventually departed at 11.45am once it had been secured with 19 passengers aboard.

Rex has clarified that the cabin door could only be opened before pressurisation which occurs when both engines are started up.

Hence such an incident could not have happened while the plane was in the air or taxiing on the runway.

Merimbula airport manager Ian Baker, who later spoke to the man said that there had been nothing suspicious as he had boarded the plane.

"When I briefly spoke to the man afterwards he seemed fine and was quite rational," he said.

"I don't think it could have been prevented because it was just one of those unfortunate spontaneous things that occurred."

Mr Baker agreed that the incident highlighted the need for airport security in regional areas.

"There is no question that we need security here at Merimbula.

"We've come a long way to achieve what we have to far and will continue to work towards even better security."

Mr Baker said he was impressed with how the Rex staff had handled the situation and was pleased to receive positive feedback from other passengers.

"The reaction to the event from staff was excellent," he said.

"In the past 12 months they have gone through a lot of training and it shone through in the way they handled talking to the man and controlling him until police arrived."

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http://merimbula.yourguide.com.au/home.asp


Just a quick reminder as to what "Ralph the Bong" had to say immediately after the incident, something along the lines of

"It makes me wonder what's happening in the Australian industry these days when I hear stories like this. It would be instructive to know which crew member said that the passenger was 'unable to get off'. Was it flight or cabin crew? What information and training are those in regional GA given these days? Bizarre.."

and

"Interestingly, witnesses are being sought in this incident (according to the SMH) and I would have more faith in their account than in what the crew have to say.

If a pax asks to be taken off a flight the crew is compelled to oblige. Failing to do so is a criminal offence.

Even heard of kidnapping? How about false inprisonment? Assault? These are the offences that a crew would face if a passenger is taken for a "ride" against their will."

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[disco_air]

....all very well, but has anyone asked the clown why he jumped off the aircraft in the first place?

..Disco

[Ralph the Bong]

Well, it looks as if [I]somebodies buttons have been pushed.

[/Thanks Ralph, thought it would be prudent now we have the facts to highlight your ignorant, unfounded, superficial and egotistical diatribe which was obviously based on loose media information and your own inflated, unintelligent and now quite obviously unimportant opinions. Next time stick with what you know and leave the rest to the professionals.

I]

Yeah mate, anyone with half a brain can cut and paste something out of the local rag. Natuarlly, Mr Baker (the Merimbula airport manager, no less) is going to say wonderful things about his staff. What else would he say?

It still remains to be seen, was this passenger told that he could not get off the aeroplane as was alleged in the original SMH article? Nothing that has been printed here contridicts this, so far.

The fact remains, as I originally said, if a passenger says that they want to get off the flight, the crew must allow this.

Mate, get a life..

[sailing]

[/quote]
Mr Baker agreed that the incident highlighted the need for airport security in regional areas.

"There is no question that we need security here at Merimbula.

"We've come a long way to achieve what we have to far and will continue to work towards even better security."

[/quote]

Yeah, having this guy go through a 'security' check and confiscating his nail clippers would have instantly cured any phobia of flying that he had prior to check-in. Thank you, Mr Baker.

[tlf]

Originally Posted by Deejay 1

Usually its the other way round, with late pax arriving with the plane on the tarmac demanding to get on as it hasnt left yet, even with the props spinning.

Happened to Emu at KGC 12 months ago as well as Kendell in Port Lincoln.

Amazing considering that the "security fences" are all in place at these ports.

Still isn't the first nor will it be the last methinks

Reminds me of a departure from Pt Augusta one day heading for Adelaide and I was in the middle of the take off when the missing passenger drove her car out to the end of the taxiway hoping to stop me. She got a real close look at a Chieftain wingtip and a meeting with Port Augusta police on the way back to town.

[Crossbleed]

Wrong again

RTB: Mr Baker doesn't have any employees. Ever been to MER??
He's the Airport manager ie: City council employee, as opposed to base/station manager or whatever equivalent (airline) term applies. Rex has naught to do 'wiv him really.
Mate of mine operated the flight. Apparently the loony made no request at all. Just jumped up and flung the door open.

[Ramrod]

Isn't Ian an ex-Hazelton pilot who gave up flying 15 years ago and become their ground agent at MER?

[Crossbleed]

Yes, he is/was.