DUBAI- On an Aeroflot flight from Dubai (DXB) to Moscow (SVO), an inebriated passenger caused an emergency landing after attempting to smash a window.
The incident, involving 38-year-old Roman Pakhomov, ended with him being restrained by fellow passengers and then apprehended by officials.
Aeroflot Flight Emergency Landing
The squabble began when Roman Pakhomov, allegedly inebriated from alcohol he had smuggled on board, began verbally attacking crew personnel and passengers.
Witnesses aboard the Aeroflot Boeing 777 described the situation as chaotic, with Pakhomov screaming, stomping, and lashing out. Under the orders of the airplane captain, passengers and crew initially held him using seatbelts and plastic handcuffs.
However, the situation worsened when Pakhomov broke free from his constraints. He then attempted to smash a window with his fists, leading the captain to do an emergency landing at Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The flight remained stopped for 2 hours and 45 minutes while officials detained the disruptive passenger.
Following his detention, Pakhomov claimed he had no recall of the incident, which he blamed on alcohol.
Authorities in Azerbaijan are conducting an investigation to identify next steps. Meanwhile, the flight resumed its journey to Moscow after a roughly three-hour delay.
Disruptive passenger incidents risk lives, but they also cause huge financial losses for airlines and inconvenience for passengers.
These occurrences highlight the importance of thorough pre-flight assessments and prompt in-flight action plans.
Similar Incidents
Earlier this December, a similar incident occurred on an EasyJet (U2) flight from Morocco to Glasgow. A inebriated passenger became so disruptive that the flight was rerouted to Faro, Portugal.
Passengers’ videos showed Portuguese police removing the guy off the plane, prompting clapping from relieved travelers.
According to witnesses, the man was verbally abusive, spitting at flight attendants, and had a history of hostile behavior at the hotel prior to boarding.
Such incidents have aroused concerns in the aviation sector, leading calls for stronger rules on alcohol consumption and passenger behavior.