Horror in the Skies: Man Tries to Open Emergency Door During Alaska Airlines Flight

Many people are petrified to fly. But take the typical angst and add on the additional horror one would experience if a fellow passenger attempted to open an airplane door 10,000 feet in the air. This was a reality earlier today for a multitude of Alaska Airlines customers when 23-year-old Alexander Herrera reportedly attempted to do just that.

The bizarre incident unfolded earlier today when the man, who was in row 17 of the aircraft, tried to open the emergency row exit door. Wasting no time, crew and passengers worked together to restrain Herrera, KIRO-TV reports.

(Photo Credit: Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)

The incident occurred just 10 minutes before Flight 132 landed on its voyage from Anchorage to Portland. Luckily, the seal was never broken and the cabin wasn't depressurized -- but the event likely left some on board uneasy.

Herrera sat calmly in his seat following the furor, a spokesperson told KIRO-TV. But when the plane landed, he was arrested and is now in police custody.

The man, according to fellow passengers, made some odd statements before his attempted door-opening, however the FBI did not elaborate or share the contents of his comments.

While the incident certainly gave many on board a scare, emergency airplane doors come with special locks that only allow them to be opened with the approval of the flight crew. So, despite Herrera's efforts, those on board were not in any legitimate danger.