Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputies say the man who opened an emergency exit door on an airplane at New Orleans International Airport and climbed onto the plane's wing was suffering from a "mental health emergency" when the incident happened.
It happened around 7:40 p.m. Sunday on Concourse B.
According to JPSO Captain Jason Rivarde, the plane was stationary when the man, identified only as a 38-year-old from Atlanta, let himself out, climbed onto the wing, and jumped to the ground. Rivarde says ground personnel caught the man and held him until law enforcement officers arrived on scene. Nobody was injured, but the flight was canceled following the incident.
Rivarde says the man was unarmed and that "there is no indication that (he) left anything on the plane." The man was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Rivarde says as of Monday afternoon, the man remains hospitalized.
Rivarde says he does not expect the man to face criminal charges locally. However, Rivarde notes that the man could face federal charges, as the investigation has been referred to federal authorities.
