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Cynthia McKnight: Woman arrested for using emergency exit door to 'escape' American Airlines plane

An American Airlines flight en route to Chicago was forced to return to the gate when the lady reportedly opened the emergency door

A lady reportedly opened the emergency door and caused the aircraft evacuation slide to inflate at Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York. The American Airlines flight was forced to return to its gate just before takeoff. A woman named Cynthia McKnight was arrested by the police, according to CBS affiliate WIVB. Spencer Brown, an offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the NFL, was aboard the plane and later tweeted about the event, claiming on Twitter that the lady used the emergency inflatable slide to "escape" the plane. 

Brown's tweet read, "Sitting on a plane. A lady is pissed. Lady pulls the emergency inflatable slide to escape the plane. Lady is running wild through the tarmac currently. Cops have arrived. Flight ruined. Memories made. Noice." Brown shared a snapshot of the inflated slide in a different tweet in the thread. NFTA director of public affairs Helen Tederous told, “Cynthia McKnight faces a number of charges including disorderly conduct, harassment, trespass, and criminal mischief. According to detectives, McKnight actually opened the cabin door of the plane. The American Airlines flight was en route to Chicago. Despite the fact that the pilot was prepared to take off, the event forced a return to the gate.” 

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American Airlines also released a statement saying, "Shortly after pushback from the gate at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) on April 19, American Eagle Flight 3933, with service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), returned to the gate due to a disruptive customer. Prior to reattaching the jet bridge, the disruptive customer opened the main boarding door, which deployed the emergency slide, and exited the aircraft onto the ramp. The individual was quickly apprehended by local law enforcement and has been placed on America’s internal refuse list pending further investigation. We thank our team members for their professionalism and action to ensure the safety of our customers and crew.”

According to Simply Flying, these slides are utilized for passengers to leave a plane in the event of an emergency. The slide is usually kept within an aircraft door, beneath the door sill, or near emergency escape windows. The slide is connected to a door via a lever on the inner door.

McKnight's brave escape comes as airline employees report an increase in unruly customers. There have been other incidents in which passengers have been arrested as a result of similar events that occurred during a flight. A guy reportedly attempted to open the emergency escape door in the middle of the flight. Michael Brandon Demarre has also been charged with threatening and interfering with a flight crew and attendants, and he faces federal charges. Another lady, Vickie Meyers, was arrested after she reportedly went onto the tarmac to try to stop a jet from taking off without her.