

A woman in her twenties is in police custody following her disturbing in-flight attempt on Monday to open an emergency exit door of a plane bound for Sanya in Hainan province.

According to the South China Morning Post, approximately an hour after the takeoff of flight JD5180 from Hunan province’s Changsha city, a flight security officer noticed the woman’s attempt to open a plane door and quickly intervened. The woman then threatened to commit suicide and was joined by two other passengers, who initiated a fight with the officer that had to be stopped with the assistance of flight attendants.

A fellow passenger posted an eyewitness account on Sina Weibo afterwards: “It’s really not an easy job to be flight crew, especially when facing the daredevils. Fortunately knives are banned on flights.”

China’s Capital Airlines merely commented that the woman had “displayed erratic behavior.”

Thanks to the cabin crew’s efficiency, the flight landed safely at its destination at 2:20pm, and the three passengers were questioned by police.

The incident marks a dark turn in Chinese passengers’ strange proclivity toward wanting to open airplane doors for various reasons.

What to do if someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide:

– Do not leave the person alone

– Remove any sharp objects, alcohol, drugs or firearms that could be used in a suicide attempt

– Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional

– Call the following hotlines for help: Lifeline Shanghai: 021-6279-8990 (English speakers; 10am – 10pm daily); HopeLine: 4001619995 (Chinese speakers; 24/7 toll-free access)

By Pinky Latt