A passenger is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly causing chaos aboard a flight in Australia and trying to open a passenger door while the plane was still in the air.
Thomas Raymond Forster, 41, was traveling aboard Qantas flight QF1733 from Karratha to Perth on Monday when the disturbing incident unfolded, according to Australian Federal Police and local reports.
Police allege Forster first verbally abused another passenger before pushing and kicking the seat in front of him.
When flight attendants stepped in, authorities say he turned his anger toward the crew and began verbally abusing them as well.
But the situation allegedly became even more alarming as the aircraft prepared to land.
Passenger Allegedly Tried to Open Plane Door
Police say Forster ignored repeated instructions to sit down and fasten his seatbelt before allegedly attempting to open the forward passenger door while the aircraft was still in flight.
The plane continued to Perth Airport, where it landed at around 4:05 p.m. Monday.
Australian Federal Police officers were waiting after the airline requested assistance.
Authorities allege Forster became aggressive with officers after being escorted from the aircraft and refused to follow their directions. Police eventually restrained him.
He was subsequently hit with four charges.
Serious Charges Carry Years Behind Bars
Forster was charged with causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, an offense that carries a maximum sentence of 13 years behind bars.
He was also charged with an act endangering the safety of an aircraft, which carries a maximum possible prison sentence of 10 years.
Additional charges accuse him of failing to comply with crew instructions and disorderly behavior.
The crew-instruction offense can carry a fine of up to $18,200 Australian dollars, while the disorderly-behavior charge carries a maximum fine of $6,000 Australian dollars.
Could He Actually Have Opened the Door?
Although the allegation sounds terrifying, modern passenger aircraft are specifically designed to make opening a door during normal pressurized flight extremely difficult or impossible.
FAA guidance says passenger doors on pressurized aircraft generally should not be capable of opening when the pressure difference between the cabin and outside exceeds 2 psi. Aircraft designs also include precautions intended to prevent passengers from intentionally opening doors in flight.
The risk can change as an aircraft descends and the pressure difference decreases, which makes crew intervention especially important when someone tries to interfere with an exit.
Police Issue Warning After Incident
Forster appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday and was granted bail.
His case is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 27.
Australian Federal Police Acting Superintendent Hayly Faithfull said authorities would not tolerate violent or disruptive behavior aboard aircraft.
“There is no place for violence or disorderly behaviour on our planes or in our airports,” Faithfull said, adding that passengers, airline employees and police officers should not have to endure such behavior.
Police said they will continue working with airlines and airport authorities to respond to incidents that threaten aviation safety.
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