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A man who defiantly jumped out of a plane’s emergency exit and onto the wing after a four-hour delay at Mexico City airport has been arrested, but other passengers say he saved their lives.
An Aeromexico plane bound for Guatemala was parked at Mexico City International Airport on Thursday, awaiting takeoff, but fed-up passengers exited the plane and re-entered the cabin “without impacting the aircraft or others.” said airport officials.
According to the airport, the man later turned himself in to police.
However, numerous passengers signed a written statement alleging that the airline made passengers wait for four hours without ventilation or water during the flight delay.
The man’s apparent verbal abuse was said to have been “to gain everyone’s support and protect everyone.”
“Delays and lack of air created a situation that put the health of the passengers at risk. He saved our lives,” according to a photo of the statement posted online.
At least 77 passengers on the flight signed a handwritten statement supporting the man’s actions, photos show.
An incident report filed at the airport confirms the passengers’ complaints.
“At approximately 11:37 a.m., the Mexican airline reported that a disturbance began due to passenger dissatisfaction on board AM Flight 672,” the report said. “The plane was scheduled to take off at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, but a maintenance alert for the plane occurred and the captain had to return to the gate for necessary maintenance.”
“The passengers became disgruntled and one of them opened the emergency door and exited the wing,” the report said. “This incident necessitated a change of flight.”
A video that appeared to have been recorded on the plane showed a frightened passenger asking a flight attendant for water.
Aviation tracking sites confirmed on Thursday that flight AM672 bound for Guatemala City was delayed by 4 hours and 56 minutes.
It is unclear whether the man is still in custody or facing any charges.
with post wire
