Queensland man tackled, arrested after trying to open plane door mid-flight

A QUEENSLAND man tried to open the door of a plane before it landed in Brisbane before a hero passenger tackled him to the ground.

An Air Canada flight was interrupted by a restless passenger who couldn’t wait for the flight to land in Brisbane.

A PAIR of newlyweds began their Queensland honeymoon with a high dose of drama after a man on their Canada to Brisbane flight tried to escape the plane mid-flight.

Towards the end of the 15-hour Air Canada flight on Wednesday morning, a Sunshine Coast man decided he couldn’t wait the extra 10 minutes and allegedly tried to open the exit door while the plane was in the air.

Honeymooner Shannon Horn was seated with new wife Ana Rodriquez-Horn close to the exit, and leapt into action when he noticed the commotion.

The 25-year-old man allegedly tried to escape through the plane’s door mid-flight. Picture: Seven News

“I ran over and this guy is trying to pull the lever to get the door open,” he told Seven News.

“I just reacted. I pulled his hand off and tackled him to the ground.”

Fellow passengers described the 25-year-old’s attempted escape as “very scary”.

Greg Wright, who was also on the plane, said up to five flight attendants tried to get the man to settle and sit down, but he refused.

Another passenger said: “Everyone was really frightened.”

Exclusive pictures - Newlywed hero saves the day in an emergency on a Brisbane-bound plane. @MyleeHogan #7News https://t.co/hps7L32JXm

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) November 3, 2016

Shannon Horn was the hero of the flight, tackling the man to the ground. Picture: Seven News

Australian Federal Police officers met the flight on it arrival in Brisbane.

The man who had tried to open the door was detained and led off the plane by AFP officers with his hands in zip ties.

“After assisting police with their inquiries he was allowed to leave the airport pending further investigation,” an AFP spokesman said in a statement.

“Police inquiries into this matter are continuing. No charges have been laid at this time.”

Mr Horn was congratulated by the flight crew and pilot at the end of the flight.

His wife Ana said: “He’s my hero.”