Man Opens Plane Door and Walks on Wing at Australian Airport Before Arrest

Photo : AFP

A passenger was apprehended at Melbourne Airport on Thursday after he exited a stationary airliner through an emergency exit, walked along the wing, and descended via a jet engine onto the tarmac. The incident occurred aboard Jetstar Flight JQ507, which had just arrived from Sydney and was parked at a terminal gate.

The man’s actions began when he opened the emergency exit door of the Airbus A320. This deployment automatically activated a slide from the rear of the wing down to the ground. However, instead of using the slide, the passenger walked along the wing and then climbed down one of the aircraft's engines, eventually making his way to the tarmac.

According to witness Audrey Varghese, passengers onboard reacted with shock and alarm as the man exhibited erratic behavior. “The man was exhibiting some quite strange behavior,” Varghese told Melbourne Radio 3AW. She recounted that as the plane slowed to a stop, the passenger aggressively moved toward the emergency exit row, pushing past others and forcefully opening the door.

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Maddison, another passenger, reported that the man had been vaping during the flight—an activity prohibited on board—and had unsuccessfully asked the air crew for alcohol.

Jetstar staff notified Australian Federal Police of the situation. The man was arrested for “alleged aggressive behavior and breaching aircraft safety protocols,” according to a police statement. Following his arrest, he was assessed by paramedics and transported to a hospital for further evaluation. The police are continuing their investigation, with charges anticipated at a later date.

At the scene, Melbourne Airport officials noted that ground staff and aircrew managed to detain the man before police arrived. Social media images showed multiple ground staff members restraining him on the tarmac.

In a statement, Melbourne Airport praised the ground crew for their prompt and effective response, which ensured no immediate danger to other passengers or staff. The airport also noted that the deployment of the emergency slide had caused a delay in luggage unloading, which was resolved hours later.

Authorities are still investigating the full circumstances surrounding the incident, and further updates are expected as the situation develops.