NEW YORK CITY – Two passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight bound for Atlanta on Monday morning opened a cabin door and activated an emergency slide to get off the plane as it was taxiing before takeoff from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, according to multiple reports.
Brian Plummer told The New York Times that he saw a man, identified as 31-year-old Antonio Murdock, stand from his seat on Delta Air Lines Flight 462 as the plane was taxiing on the runway. Plummer told the newspaper that when a flight attendant ordered Murdock to sit back down, he said he couldn’t because he had post-traumatic stress disorder.
“If I sit down, I’ll freak out,” Murdock said, according to Plummer.
Authorities told the Times that Murdock forced open a cabin door, activating an emergency slide that he, a woman with him and a “large service dog” used to get off the plane.
Authorities have since charged Murdock with second-degree criminal mischief, second-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree criminal trespass, WABC reported. The woman traveling with Murdock, identified as 23-year-old Brianna Greco, has been charged with third-degree criminal trespass, according to WABC.
Delta spokesman Morgan Durrant told CNN that the plane returned to the gate after the trio disembarked on Monday. Passengers were deplaned and put on alternate flights, according to the news network.
“Maintenance technicians have evaluated the aircraft and is scheduled to return to service this evening,” Durrant said.
No injuries were reported.
