KUALA LUMPUR – A Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi descended into chaos after a passenger allegedly attempted to force open an emergency exit while the aircraft was airborne, prompting passengers and cabin crew to intervene and restrain him.
The passenger, identified as 36-year-old Jamsheer Athanikkal from Palakkad, who is currently residing in Sreemoolanagaram, was travelling on Batik Air flight OD231, operated by a Boeing 737, when the incident occurred on Wednesday night, according to a First Information Report (FIR).
The FIR stated that the incident took place between 9.30pm and 11.05pm while the aircraft was cruising.
Jamsheer allegedly kicked and damaged the inner panel of the emergency exit window before attempting to open the door. He was also accused of threatening fellow passengers and cabin crew members during the incident.
A potentially dangerous situation was averted after passengers and crew members acted quickly to overpower and restrain him until the aircraft completed its journey and landed safely.
Jamsheer was arrested by Kerala Police after the aircraft arrived in Kochi in the early hours of Thursday.
Police said the case was registered following a complaint lodged by Batik Air’s security officer in Kochi, with investigations currently ongoing.
He has been charged under Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation, Section 11A of the Aircraft Act for violating aviation safety and security regulations, and Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act for actions endangering public safety.
A fellow passenger, Matty Mathew, later described the frightening experience in a social media post, accompanied by a video recorded during the incident.
Mathew said many passengers were asleep during the overnight flight when they were awakened by the sound of rushing air after the man, who was seated in the emergency exit row, damaged the window panel and interfered with the exit door.
He explained that the emergency exit remained secured due to its design and cabin pressure, preventing it from being opened despite the alleged attempt.
Mathew added that passengers, assisted by Batik Air cabin crew members, managed to restrain the man before the situation could worsen.
“It was an extremely frightening experience, but thankfully, all of us are safe,” he wrote on X.
The incident occurred just two days after another aviation scare involving an Air India flight.
Air India flight AI2379, travelling from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi, experienced a sudden drop in altitude while cruising on Tuesday.
The aircraft, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, landed safely in Delhi. However, 13 passengers and four crew members were later taken to hospital for medical treatment.
The airline said it had informed the relevant aviation authorities, was cooperating fully with the investigation, and had notified the aircraft manufacturer.
Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 reported that the aircraft involved was a seven-year-old Airbus.
Air India said passenger and crew safety remained its “foremost priority”, adding that it would continue supporting those affected and their families as investigations proceed. – August 7, 2026