Plane passengers restrain lunatic who threatened crew and ‘felt like’ opening emergency exit midflight

A lunatic allegedly tried to open a commercial jet’s emergency exit door midflight, cracking the window and causing significant damage to the exit window panel — later telling cops he just “felt like doing so.”

Jamsheer Athanikkal, 36, was on a Batik Air flight from Malaysia to India Aug. 7 when he went berserk as the plane was at cruising altitude at around 30,000 feet, according to officials.

A passenger on a Batik Air flight to India had to be detained with zip ties after trying to open the emergency door. Markus Mainka – stock.adobe.com

“Jamsheer was a traveler in seat number 12A, [and] without any provocation, he tried to open the emergency exit and destroyed the exit window panel,” a police officer told Indian Express.

“He threatened the co-passengers and the crew, who tried to prevent him,” the officer added. “Later, he was overpowered by the co-passengers and the crew.”

Athanikkal told cops he was on his way home to see his newborn child.

Video spreading on social media from inside the plane shows the chaotic scene, as passengers and crew managed to subdue the agitated man and restrain him with zip ties.

Jamsheer Athanikkal, 36, was arrested after the plane landed and faces multiple charges. Thomas – stock.adobe.com

The harrowing footage shows the extent of the damage he caused, including a large crack along the length of the exit door window and a shattered plastic panel beneath it.

Upon arrival at Kochi Airport, Athanikkal was arrested on charges including criminal intimidation, failure to follow official safety directions and risking public safety, according to the Deccan Chronicle — which said the charges were then upgraded.

“As the act of the accused could have endangered the lives of the co-passengers, we have evoked an attempt to murder charge against him,” a police officer told the outlet.