A passenger on KLM Flight 622 opened an emergency exit door and deployed the inflatable slide while the plane was taxiing at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The incident occurred Tuesday night, as the Amsterdam-bound flight prepared for takeoff.
The man, identified by police as Johannes Van Heertum, reportedly called 911 from his seat claiming he saw another passenger with a weapon. Believing there was a threat, he panicked, opened the exit door, and triggered the slide.
No weapon was found onboard. Authorities say Van Heertum appeared to be experiencing a mental-health episode. He was evaluated by EMTs, then taken into custody and charged with reckless conduct, criminal damage to property, and interfering with security measures.
As a result of the incident, the flight was cancelled and all passengers were rebooked. There were no injuries.