An Air Seoul passenger flight bound for Gimpo from Jeju International Airport was forced to return to the gate after a female passenger forcibly opened an emergency exit door.
According to the airline industry, on Tuesday, at around 8:05 a.m.. (KST), Air Seoul flight RS902, scheduled to fly from Jeju to Gimpo, experienced an emergency exit opening while taxiing from the apron to the runway.
The emergency evacuation slide was deployed as the door opened, rendering the aircraft inoperable. The plane was towed back to the parking area, and the flight was ultimately canceled.
An investigation confirmed that the incident was caused by a female passenger who forcibly opened the emergency exit. The woman reportedly forced the emergency door open, claiming she felt frustrated shortly after the plane began moving.
Emergency exit opening threatens aviation safety; follow-up measures under review
Air Seoul stated that a comprehensive investigation into the incident is underway.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. However, the scheduled flight was canceled due to the emergency door being opened.
All 100 passengers on board disembarked and are expected to be rebooked on alternative flights.
Aviation safety experts warn that opening an emergency exit during flight or takeoff preparations can lead to severe safety hazards. Sudden changes in cabin pressure and the compromised safety of other passengers make such actions extremely dangerous, and they are strictly prohibited under aviation law.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Aviation Safety Act, passengers who interfere with aircraft safety may face a fine of up to $7,000. In more serious cases, criminal prosecution is also possible.
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