Overview
- A 36-year-old passenger, identified as Jamsheer Athanikkal, allegedly tried to open an emergency exit and damaged its window panel while the Batik Air flight was cruising at about 30,000 feet on Friday, August 7.
- Cabin crew and fellow passengers overpowered and restrained the man with cable ties before the pilot diverted the flight back to Kuala Lumpur, where he was taken into custody.
- He was initially arrested on charges including criminal intimidation and endangering public safety and has since been charged with attempted murder as investigators consider aviation-specific offences.
- Police are interviewing crew and passengers, collecting onboard footage that shows scratches and cracks to the exit area, and seeking remand to continue questioning and medical or psychiatric assessment of the suspect.
- Emergency exits cannot be opened in normal pressurized flight, so investigators say the damage posed a serious safety threat and the case could lead to prosecution under civil aviation safety laws and operational reviews by the airline.