Virgin America flight diverted after unruly passenger tries to open exit door mid-flight

ByABC.com staff KABC logo
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Virgin America passenger attempts to open exit door mid-flight
A man attempted to open the exit door on a Los Angeles-bound Virgin America flight after experiencing a mental episode while on drugs.

LOS ANGELES -- A Northern California man was removed from a Los Angeles-bound Virgin America jetliner after he allegedly tried to open a door mid-flight.

A total of 108 passengers and crew members were onboard the flight out of Boston when it was diverted to Omaha, Nebraska Monday morning, Virgin America spokeswoman Christie O'Toole said in a statement.

A passenger on Flight 363 posted a photo of the suspect on Instagram. He was later identified by police as Doug Adams of Northern California.

O'Toole said the flight was diverted "due to a medical incident involving a guest on board."

Omaha police say Adams was on drugs and experiencing a mental episode when he got up from his seat and tried to open an exit door. Other passengers onboard the jetliner jumped into action.

Adams was quickly subdued by an off-duty police officer. He was led away at the airport in handcuffs.

The flight continued to Los Angeles and landed shortly after noon Monday.