Passenger taken into custody after trying to open the plane’s exit midflight. ABC News
A flight heading to Detroit from Omaha made an emergency landing on Thursday evening. The reason? A 23-year-old passenger created panic midair by threatening a flight attendant and trying to open the emergency exit.
The man, identified as Mario Nikprelaj from Elkhorn, Nebraska, caused serious trouble onboard Flight 3612. The flight, operated by a regional airline for a major U.S. carrier, had 67 passengers and four crew members.
Trouble Started Early
Jonathan Spencer Van der Waarden, a fellow passenger flying home to Michigan, shared details of what happened. He said the man acted strangely right from takeoff. Nikprelaj reportedly unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up while the plane was still climbing.
During drink service, things got worse. Nikprelaj, who was sitting in the exit row, lunged toward the emergency exit. This shocked everyone nearby. One passenger screamed for help, alerting the crew and others on board.
Emergency Landing in Iowa
After the disturbance, the pilot quickly decided to reroute the plane. He announced they would land in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, because of the passenger’s behavior.
As the plane started descending, Nikprelaj walked aggressively toward the front. He argued with passengers and staff who tried to stop him. Van der Waarden described his actions as “very aggressive.”
Arrest and Investigation
Once the plane landed at Eastern Iowa Airport, law enforcement officers boarded and arrested Nikprelaj. A video recorded by Van der Waarden shows the man in a white shirt with his hands tied behind his back, being escorted off the plane.
Police kept the plane grounded for more than two hours while questioning passengers and crew members.
Charges Filed
Authorities charged Nikprelaj with assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct. He also faced drug-related charges after officers found 41 pills of Alprazolam—commonly known as Xanax—on him. He did not have a proper prescription label or tax stamp for the medication.
The local attorney filed a criminal complaint against him on Friday. Nikprelaj appeared in court the same morning. The judge set his bail at $10,000. Police have said he may face more charges as the investigation continues.
Flight Resumes After Arrest
The airline confirmed that the flight was delayed because of an unruly passenger. Once the situation was under control and the man taken into custody, the plane continued its journey to Detroit without further incident.
As of Friday, Nikprelaj had not commented on the matter. It is unclear whether he has legal representation.
