A passenger forced open an emergency exit and jumped from an Iberia aircraft at Paris Orly Airport on Friday evening, following an alleged assault on a flight attendant.
The incident occurred aboard Iberia flight IB578 around 5:20 p.m. as the aircraft was taxiing for departure to Madrid. The passenger rose from his seat, proceeded to the front cabin, and attempted to open the emergency exit, authorities reported.
When a flight attendant intervened, the passenger allegedly assaulted the crew member before successfully opening the door and jumping approximately 11.5 feet to the tarmac while the Airbus’s engines were still running.
Emergency crews responded immediately, with police vehicles rushing to the scene as captured in passenger video footage. The individual was detained on the tarmac. Officials have not released information about the passenger’s condition or motives.
Despite the disruption, the flight eventually departed for Madrid’s Barajas Airport, arriving just before midnight after a four-and-a-half-hour delay. The three-year-old aircraft resumed operations Saturday afternoon following a brief service check.
This marks the second emergency exit incident for Iberia in three months. In December, a nervous passenger deployed an emergency slide before takeoff on an Iberia Express flight from Ibiza to Madrid, though crew members prevented that individual from exiting.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
