An unruly passenger was forcefully restrained by fellow travelers after he attempted to open the plane’s emergency door just before landing on a Copa Airlines flight from Brazil to Panama.
A video capturing the chaos has gone viral on X, showcasing the moments when passengers took matters into their own hands to prevent what could have resulted in a mid-air disaster.
According to reports from The New York Post, the flight was running smoothly until about 30 minutes before landing, when the man allegedly charged toward the back of the aircraft, brandishing a plastic knife from his meal tray.
He then attempted to take a flight attendant hostage, demanding access to the emergency door. Witness and photojournalist Cristiano Carvalho, 51, who recorded parts of the incident, described the chaos. “A flight attendant started screaming, and another tried to hold him back, but couldn’t because he was too strong,” he said.
Carvalho recalled the moments when the passenger ignored warnings and tried to reach the back emergency exit. “He went past the back emergency door after the warning. Then he started moving forward and trying to open it,” he said. At this point, passengers intervened, wrestling the man to the ground in a desperate attempt to neutralize the threat.
The disturbance reportedly took place early Tuesday aboard Copa Airlines Flight CM204, which was traveling from Brasília to Panama City. Further footage captured the arrival of military officers who boarded the plane upon landing, taking the man into custody in handcuffs, his face visibly bloodied from the struggle.
Copa Airlines later issued a statement, confirming that after landing in Panama, “The national security team entered the aircraft and removed the passenger, taking him to the judicial authorities.” The airline also commended the swift action of the crew and passengers, noting that safety protocols were immediately implemented to protect everyone on board.
“Thanks to the professionalism of the crew, the safety of the flight and passengers was protected,” a spokesperson said.