https://simpleflying.com/united-airlines-airlines-passenger-triggers-emergency-slide/By
Prachi Patel
On Sunday evening, October 5, a United Airlines passenger was arrested after attempting to open a cabin door while the aircraft was taxiing at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The incident occurred shortly after United Flight 788 arrived at the airport around 18:30. The attempt was unsuccessful but caused the Boeing 737-800’s emergency slide to deploy.
Houston police identified the passenger as 20-year-old Arturo Martinez of Edinburg, Texas. He is now facing charges of criminal mischief in connection with the incident. No injuries were reported, and passengers were later transported by bus to the terminal. According to air traffic control audio obtained by a local news outlet, KHOU, the pilots immediately shut down the engines and requested emergency assistance. Emergency crews and Houston police met the aircraft on the taxiway, and the situation was quickly brought under control. United confirmed the flight landed safely, and airport operations continued without disruption. The pilot told air traffic control that:
“We’re gonna shut down the engines. (...) We had a passenger open up the forward cabin door on deceleration, so we’re gonna shut ’em down here. If we could get crash, fire, rescue, airstairs, and the police out here that’d be great.”
