Passenger Tries to Open Plane Door Mid-Flight, Forces Emergency Landing in Iowa

A Delta Connection flight made an unexpected emergency landing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after a passenger tried to open an emergency door during the flight and got into a fight with a flight attendant.

The shocking mid-air incident happened Thursday evening aboard Flight 3612, operated by SkyWest Airlines. The plane was flying from Omaha to Detroit when the chaos unfolded.

Passenger Tries to Open Emergency Exit

Around 7 p.m. local time, the pilot alerted air traffic control about a dangerous situation on board.

“A passenger is in a fight with our flight attendant right now, trying to open the emergency exit,” the pilot said in a radio call recorded by LiveATC.net.

The plane quickly made an emergency landing at Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids.

Arrest and Charges

Once on the ground, officers boarded the plane and arrested the man involved. Video posted on social media showed police escorting him off the aircraft with his hands restrained behind his back.

Authorities identified the passenger as 23-year-old Mario Nikprelaj, from Nebraska. He now faces five charges, including:

• Threatening and pushing a flight attendant
• Disorderly conduct
• Possession of 41 Alprazolam pills (a prescription drug often sold as Xanax)
• Two drug-related offenses

Nikprelaj appeared in court on Friday. A judge set his bond at $10,000, though it’s still unclear whether he has a lawyer.

Airline Responds: “Zero Tolerance”

SkyWest Airlines issued a statement after the incident, saying:

“SkyWest has zero tolerance for unruly behavior as safety for our customers and crew is our top priority.”

The airline emphasized that it takes all safety threats seriously, especially when crew members are involved.

A Growing Problem on U.S. Flights

This is not an isolated case. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there have been more than 870 reports of unruly passengers on U.S. flights so far this year.

These incidents can lead to jail time, heavy fines, and bans from flying. Airlines and officials continue to urge travelers to follow crew instructions and behave responsibly on flights.

What Happens Next?

Authorities will continue to investigate the incident and review whether more charges should be added. If convicted, Nikprelaj could face serious penalties.

As more passengers take to the skies this summer, flight crews are on high alert for bad behavior — and airlines are making it clear: disruptive conduct won’t fly.