WATCH: passenger opens emergency exit and climbs onto wing of Southwest Airlines plane

LOUISIANA: In a peculiar incident at Louis Armstrong International Airport, a 38-year-old man was taken to the hospital after opening the emergency exit door and stepping onto the wing of a Southwest Airlines flight.

The incident occurred on Sunday night before the flight had taken off.

Upon discovery, the man was described by the police as “incoherent and not fully aware of his surroundings.” He had jumped to the ground and was apprehended by airport staff near the plane in New Orleans.

Contrary to initial reports of an arrest, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office clarified that the man was taken to the hospital as officers believed he was “suffering from a mental health emergency.”

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However, there is no indication that the man left any items on the plane, and he was not found in possession of any weapons, according to the sheriff’s statement.

The authorities have referred the investigation to federal authorities, and the man is not expected to face local criminal charges. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.

Although the flight was canceled following the episode, the media reported that the flight eventually departed for its intended destination of Baltimore.

Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines expressed appreciation for their crews’ swift response, apologising to passengers for any inconvenience caused.

The airport confirmed the incident, citing an “unauthorised deplaning of the aircraft” involving a Southwest Airlines passenger.