SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A Ukrainian man flying into the Salt Lake Int'l Airport is in police custody after he tried to open the plane's cabin doors while it was landing.
"When it landed right at touchdown I could hear screaming in the back," said Doug Anderson, passenger, Delta flight #1215.
Monday night a man on board Delta flight #1215 from Boston to Salt Lake tried to open the plane's rear doors as soon as the plane touched the ground. Passenger Doug Anderson said the man had an odd look on his face.
"The look in his eyes was very different, it wasn't drunk or stoned but yet the look in his eyes was very cold and very distant," said Anderson.
According to the FBI, Anatoliy Baranovich thought the plane's wing was on fire, and was opening the door to escape. He actually got a portion of the door system open before it jammed and passengers wrestled him to the ground.
People flying into Salt Lake Tuesday night couldn't believe it.
"Scary, that's pretty scary," said Joan Erickson, traveller.
"I'm glad I'm on the ground right now," said Debbie Willaims, traveller.
"I think that's pretty stupid," said Dean Jarman, traveller.
Although many find the door situation unnerving, some who were onboard don't know what you'd do about it.
"There are instances where people have seizures or anxiety attacks or terrorist motives. We can't really lock (the doors) and prevent that," said Anderson.
ABC 4 is told Baranovich is in police custody. He is facing federal charges for damaging and disabling an aircraft, and interfering with the flight crew.
To see the initial FBI report click on the link embedded in this story.
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