Scary incident on board a passenger plane right after takeoff from Melbourne, Australia

ABC News

31 May 201701:03

Summary

TLDRA passenger plane departing from Melbourne, Australia, faced a security threat when a man claimed to have a bomb and attempted to rush the cockpit. The crew alerted the captain, and passengers intervened, overpowering the man. The plane made an emergency landing back in Melbourne, where heavily armed security forces took control. The suspect, believed to have a history of mental illness, was detained, and passengers were accommodated for the night, with plans to resume their journey to Malaysia the next day.

Takeaways

🚨 An incident occurred on a passenger plane shortly after takeoff from Melbourne, Australia.
🛫 The plane was a Malaysian Airlines jetliner.
🏃‍♂️ A man attempted to rush the cockpit, claiming to have a bomb.
🔍 Airport security in Australia responded swiftly and heavily armed.
🤝 The man was overpowered by other passengers before security could intervene.
🛂 The pilot was informed of the situation and prepared to land for security checks.
🔎 Upon landing, security officers carried out an investigation, including checking a device that was found.
🔋 The device turned out to be a power pack, not an explosive as initially claimed.
👮‍♂️ Authorities suggest the suspect may have a history of mental illness.
🛌 Passengers were accommodated for the night and were to continue their flight to Malaysia the following day.

Q & A

What happened on the passenger plane after takeoff from Melbourne?
-A man claimed to have a bomb and rushed the cockpit on a plane that had just taken off from Melbourne, Australia.
Who was the reporter covering the incident?
-ABC's David Curley reported on the incident.
How did the airport security respond to the incident?
-Australian airport security responded by quickly carrying the hog-tied passenger off the jetliner.
What was the crew's reaction when they learned of the passenger trying to breach the cockpit?
-The Malaysian Airlines crew informed the captain about the passenger trying to breach the cockpit door.
What did the pilot report to the air traffic controllers?
-The pilot reported to the controllers that a passenger was trying to enter the cockpit, claiming to have an explosive device.
How was the man claiming to have a bomb ultimately handled?
-The man was overpowered by other passengers on the flight.
What was the nature of the device the man claimed to have?
-The device was apparently some kind of power pack.
Where did the plane return after the incident?
-The plane returned to Melbourne about half an hour after taking off.
How did security officers handle the situation upon the plane's return?
-Security officers were barking commands to passengers upon the plane's return to Melbourne.
What was the suggestion regarding the suspect's mental health?
-It was suggested by the police that the suspect may have a history of mental illness.
What was the arrangement made for the passengers affected by the incident?
-Passengers were put up for the night and were to continue their flight to Malaysia the following day.

Outlines

00:00

🛫 Plane Hijack Attempt in Melbourne

A dramatic incident occurred on a passenger plane shortly after takeoff from Melbourne, Australia, when a man attempted to rush the cockpit claiming to have a bomb. The Malaysian Airlines crew alerted the captain, and the situation was quickly brought under control by passengers who overpowered the man. The flight was able to land safely back in Melbourne, where security officers took charge. The suspect was found to have a power pack, which was initially thought to be an explosive device. The authorities suspect the individual has a history of mental illness. Passengers were accommodated for the night, with plans to continue their journey to Malaysia the following day. The incident was reported by ABC's David Curley.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Incident

An incident refers to an unexpected and often undesirable event that occurs. In the context of the video, the incident is a man rushing the cockpit on a passenger plane, claiming to have a bomb. This event is central to the narrative, as it triggers the subsequent actions and responses from the crew and security personnel.

💡Cockpit

The cockpit is the area in the front of an aircraft where the pilots control the plane. In the script, the man's attempt to breach the cockpit signifies a serious security threat, as gaining access to the cockpit could potentially endanger the entire flight.

💡Bomb

A bomb is an explosive device that can cause significant harm or destruction. The claim of having a bomb by the man on the plane is a critical element of the incident, as it raises the stakes and prompts immediate action to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew.

💡Hog-tied

To be hog-tied means to be bound with one's hands and feet tied together, often used as a form of restraint. In the script, the passenger is described as being hog-tied, indicating that he was physically restrained by other passengers to prevent further action after his attempt to breach the cockpit.

💡Jetliner

A jetliner is a large aircraft designed for transporting passengers or cargo over long distances. The term is used in the script to describe the type of aircraft involved in the incident, highlighting the scale and seriousness of the situation.

💡Security officers

Security officers are personnel responsible for maintaining safety and order, often in public places or during events. In the video's context, security officers are involved in handling the aftermath of the incident, ensuring that the suspect is removed from the aircraft and that the situation is under control.

💡Mental illness

Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect a person's mood, thinking, and behavior. The script suggests that the suspect may have a history of mental illness, which could provide context for his actions and potentially influence the way the incident is managed and understood.

💡Passengers

Passengers are individuals who are traveling in a vehicle, such as a plane, train, or bus. In the script, passengers play a crucial role in overpowering the man attempting to breach the cockpit, demonstrating the collective response to a threat in a confined space.

💡Flight

A flight refers to the act of flying through the air, typically in an aircraft. The term is used in the script to describe the journey of the plane from Melbourne to Malaysia, which is interrupted by the incident and subsequently resumed after the situation is resolved.

💡Malaysian Airlines

Malaysian Airlines is the national carrier of Malaysia, providing both domestic and international flights. The script mentions this airline as the operator of the flight involved in the incident, which may influence public perception and the airline's response to the event.

💡Melbourne

Melbourne is a city in Australia and the starting point of the flight mentioned in the script. The city is significant in the narrative as it is where the incident occurs, and it is also where the plane returns for further investigation and to accommodate passengers for the night.

Highlights

Terrifying incident on a passenger plane after takeoff from Melbourne, Australia.

A man rushes the cockpit claiming to have a bomb.

ABC's David Curley reports on the incident.

Australian airport security quickly responds with heavily armed officers.

The passenger is hog-tied and carried off the jetliner.

The flight was short, just after takeoff from Melbourne.

Malaysian Airlines crew informs the captain of a passenger breaching the cockpit door.

The pilot reports to controllers about the passenger's claim of having an explosive device.

Passengers overpower the man attempting to enter the cockpit.

The device is described as a power pack.

The jet returns to Melbourne half an hour after taking off.

Security officers take control and give commands to passengers.

Police suggest the suspect has a history of mental illness.

Passengers are accommodated for the night and will resume their flight to Malaysia the next day.

David Curley concludes the report with an update on the situation.