Terrifying moment passenger tries to hijack plane

Horror footage shows the moment passengers wrestled a plane hijacker to the ground – after he stormed the cockpit and tried to open the plane door.

Horror footage shows the moment passengers wrestled a plane hijacker to the ground after he stormed the cockpit and tried to open the plane door.

The man threatened to jump with a flight attendant over Mexico on Monday, as horrified witnesses screamed and begged him not to.

Footage shows passengers fighting for their lives as they desperately drag the man, thought to be called Kel Mario N, 31, to the ground.

Mario does not go down easily, however, as the chaotic scene takes place within the claustrophobic confines of a Volaris flight from El Bajío to Tijuana.

Mario was wrestled to the ground by frantic flyers. Picture: Jam Press

Witnesses recounted that he became increasingly erratic and frantically claimed that landing in Tijuana would not be safe.

Mario then allegedly lunged at a flight attendant, pressing an object against her neck and tried to enter the cockpit.

Officials said the man told airline personnel that a close relative was kidnapped and that he received a threat that he would die if he went to Tijuana, the ABC reported.

He allegedly tried to throw himself out of the plane while holding onto a flight attendant. Picture: Jam Press

Several passengers joined in to take down the attempted hijacker. Picture: Jam Press

According to reports, he wanted the plane to go to San Diego, although it is not known why.

Reports further note that Mario was travelling with his wife and children when he threatened to take his own life.

Mario was travelling with his wife and children at the time of the incident. Picture: Jam Press

A Volaris spokesperson said: “On flight 3041, which covered the route of El Bajío to Tijuana, a passenger tried, through the use of force, to divert the plane to the United States.”

“The crew acted in accordance with the established safety procedures and, according to the protocol, the plane was diverted to Guadalajara airport.

“Where the airline made the passenger available and in the custody of the competent authorities.

“Volaris has been constituted as an accusing party to ensure that it faces the full weight of the law, until its last consequences.

“All passengers, crew and aircraft are safe.

“The rest of the passengers were protected to continue their flight to the final destination.

“Volaris regrets the inconvenience caused by this situation.

“For Volaris, the safety of our passengers and crews is the top priority.”

The flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he was arrested.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission