Passenger panics, opens plane door on taxiway at Atlanta airport, police say

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A flight out of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was canceled on Tuesday after a passenger opened the emergency door while the plane was taxiing to the runway, according to police.

KLM Asia flight KL622 was on its way to Amsterdam when 48-year-old Johannes Van Heertum believed he saw another passenger with a weapon and panicked, police said.

Van Heertum called 911 and ultimately opened the door, deploying the inflatable slide, according to officers. The plane returned to its ramp, and Atlanta police boarded the flight to arrest Van Heertum

The man faces charges of reckless conduct, criminal damage to property and interfering with security measures.

KLM Asia is a subsidiary of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Representatives said local officials are investigating what happened with the “unruly passenger.”

“We understand that this is inconvenient for the other passengers,“ the company said. ”All other passengers have been rebooked onto the next available flight.”

Van Heertum was booked in Clayton County Jail. Police believe he may have been experiencing a mental health episode.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlatna News First as we learn more.