A Delta Connection flight operated by SkyWest was forced to divert on July 17 after a 23-year-old unruly passenger allegedly attempted to open the emergency exit door mid-flight and engaged in a physical altercation with a flight attendant.
The man, identified as Mario Nikprelaj of Nebraska, was restrained by crew and passengers before the aircraft safely landed at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Originally en route from Omaha to Detroit, the flight 3612 resumed after the diversion, arriving in Detroit nearly two hours late.
He’s in a fight with our flight attendant right now, trying to open the emergency exit,” the pilot said, according to audio captured by LiveATC as reported by CNN
Nikprelaj was arrested on the ground and now faces multiple charges including disorderly conduct, assault, harassment, and illegal possession of prescription medication according to a statement from the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
SkyWest, which operates regional flights under the Delta brand, issued a statement confirming the Delta SkyWest flight incident:
“SkyWest has zero tolerance for unruly behavior. The flight landed safely, and law enforcement met the aircraft. Safety for our customers and crew is our top priority.”
Passenger Panic vs. Physics Reality
While such incidents may spark fear among travelers, aviation experts are clear: opening an emergency exit door mid-flight is physically impossible.
Can you open a plane door mid-flight? Here’s why you can’t:
- Commercial aircraft cabins are pressurized to simulate an altitude of around 8,000 feet while cruising at 30,000 to 40,000 feet. At that altitude, the pressure differential means a typical exit door measuring about 74 × 42 inches would need more than 24,000 pounds of force to open from the inside – that’s about the weight of two large African bull elephants or six Tesla Model 3s.
- Most aircraft use plug-type doors, which open inward first—meaning the higher internal pressure keeps them tightly sealed. You’d need the power of industrial hydraulics, not a frantic passenger, to overcome .
These built-in engineering features are reinforced by mechanical interlocks and sensors that prevent doors from being operated while the cabin is pressurized.
While the mechanics of door design make these attempts physically futile, they create enough in-flight chaos to warrant emergency diversions, crew restraint protocols, and significant safety reviews.
And while you can’t open a commercial airliner door mid-flight, just trying is enough to get you restrained, arrested, and facing federal charges.
Image: Pexels / Ramaz Bluashvili
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