10-6-2023 (SEOUL) Asiana Airlines is now facing a hefty repair bill of approximately 640 million won following an incident where a passenger forcefully opened the emergency door mid-flight. The A321-200 aircraft sustained damage to three sections, including the emergency door and slide, with repair costs estimated to reach around 6.4 billion won (US$537,000).
The disruptive event took place on May 26th aboard Asiana Airlines flight OZ8124 from Jeju to Daegu when a 33-year-old passenger, identified as Mr. Lee, pulled the emergency exit lever in a fit of anger. This action led to the emergency door opening at an altitude of roughly 213 meters above Daegu Airport. Both the emergency door and the escape slide were damaged in the process. Temporary repairs were carried out at Daegu Airport, and the aircraft was subsequently transported to Incheon for further extensive repairs.
According to a doctor who attended to Mr. Lee on the flight, he reported to the office manager that the passenger had opened the door out of frustration due to the plane’s delayed arrival. Following the incident, Mr. Lee was investigated by the police and eventually arrested on June 2nd for violating the Aviation Security Act and causing property damage.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has clarified that the emergency exit was able to be opened during the flight due to a minimal pressure difference between the interior and exterior of the aircraft. The passenger’s seat proximity to the emergency exit could have inadvertently resulted in its operation. It was also revealed that the A321 model involved in the incident lacked an automatic locking feature for emergency exits due to design limitations.
Asiana Airlines is currently assessing the damages incurred from the incident. Repair costs are expected to be substantial, posing a significant challenge for the airline in its path to full recovery. This occurrence highlights the crucial importance of ensuring passenger safety during flights and the necessity of implementing stringent measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The interim investigation findings on the unlawful opening of the Asiana Airlines emergency exit were obtained by the Office of Representative Chul-Min Jang from the Democratic Party of Korea, who serves as a member of the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee. The incident has raised concerns regarding the safety of passengers on flights and has underscored the need for stricter measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.
