PORTLAND, Ore. – A passenger on a U.S. commercial flight has been arrested after witnesses say he tried to open an emergency exit during the plane’s descent. Other passengers helped restrain him using shoelaces and seat-belt extensions.
An FBI spokeswoman says passengers and crew on the Alaska Airlines flight from Alaska to Oregon told investigators that 23-year-old Alexander Michael Herrera made “unusual statements” before trying to open door Monday.
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Witness Henry Pignataro tells KGW-TV that he and another man held down the passenger, and flight attendants brought three sets of shoelaces, which were used to bind Herrera’s legs.
Pignataro says Herrera then calmly sat “surrounded by big guys” until the plane landed.
Herrera has been booked into jail on a charge of interfering with a flight crew.
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