Passenger tried to OPEN the DOOR at 34000 feet | Spirit Airbus A320 | Diverted to Denver

THIS VIDEO IS A RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATION IN FLIGHT:

24-MAR-2021. A Spirit Airbus A320 (A320), registration N653NK, performing flight NKS185 / NK185 from Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport, OH (USA) to Los Angeles International Airport, CA (USA), was flying about in 120 miles south of Denver, when the pilot reported about passenger who had tried to open the aft door of the airplane. The aircraft diverted to Denver, CO.

TEXT VERSION OF COMMUNICATIONS (Read if subtitles in video were fast):

COMMENTS: A Spirit Airbus A320 was proceeding to Los Angeles at 34000 feet.
NKS185: Denver Center, Spirit Wings 185.
COMMENTS: We are unable to hear controller on this frequency.
NKS185: … aboard the aircraft, we need to declare an emergency. We have a passenger attempting to open our aft door.
COMMENTS: About 2 minutes later.
NKS185: Spirit Wings 185, we’d like to change to Denver.
COMMENTS: Controller cleared NKS185 to Denver airport.
NKS185: Cleared to Denver, Spirit Wings 185.
COMMENTS: Controller cleared NKS185 to Denver and gave instructions to descend to 14000 feet.
NKS185: From present position direct to Denver, Spirit Wings 185.
NKS185: Descend and maintain 14000.
COMMENTS: It seem that controller asked about the nature of the emergency again and asked about number of souls on board.
NKS185: 187 souls on board. We have a passenger that's been cuffed. He's been attempting to open rear, aft door. We do have passenger assistance. They have him… handcuffed at this time and… 187 total souls on board.
COMMENTS: NKS185 turned direct to Denver. In a moment NKS185 will contact Approach. The rest part of communications on Center frequency is not available.
NKS185: Approach, Spirit Wings 185, with you. We’re at 11000, emergency aircraft.
APPROACH: Spirit Wings 185, Denver Approach, descend and maintain 8000.
NKS185: 8000, Spirit Wings 185.
APPROACH: Spirit Wings 185, turn right heading 110.
NKS185: Turn 110, Spirit Wings 185.
COMMENTS: After that NKS185 was cleared for the visual approach.
APPROACH: Spirit Wings 185, contact Tower 135.3.
NKS185: 35.3, thanks for your help, Spirit Wings 185.
NKS185: Denver Tower, good evening, Spirit Wings 185, we’re visual 16R.
TOWER: Spirit Wings 185, Denver Tower, good evening, RW 16R cleared to land, wind 150 at 14.
NKS185: Cleared to land 16R, Spirit Wings 185. We plan on exiting there at the high speed, D5.
TOWER: Spirit Wings 185, yes sir, you can plan on that.
NKS185: Thank you.
COMMENTS: They have made a safe landing. That’s all. Don’t forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks.


THE VALUE OF THIS VIDEO:
THE MAIN VALUE IS EDUCATION. This reconstruction will be useful for actual or future air traffic controllers and pilots, people who plan to connect life with aviation, who like aviation. With help of this video reconstruction you’ll learn how to use radiotelephony rules, Aviation English language and general English language (for people whose native language is not English) in situation in flight, which was shown. THE MAIN REASON I DO THIS IS TO HELP PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND EVERY EMERGENCY SITUATION, EVERY WORD AND EVERY MOVE OF AIRCRAFT.

SOURCES OF MATERIAL, LICENSES AND PERMISSIONS:
Radar screen (In new versions of videos) – Made by author.
Text version of communication – Made by Author.
Video editing - Made by author.

HOW I DO VIDEOS:
1) I monitor media, airspace, looking for any non-standard, emergency and interesting situation.
2) I find communications of ATC unit for the period of time I need.
3) I take only phrases between air traffic controller and selected flight.
4) I find a flight path of selected aircraft.
5) I make an animation (early couple of videos don’t have animation) of flight path and aircraft, where the aircraft goes on his route.
6) When I edit video I put phrases of communications to specific points in video (in tandem with animation).
7) Together with my comments (voice and text) I edit and make a reconstruction of emergency, non-standard and interesting situation in flight.

[darrylr.]

There's thousands of pounds of air pressure holding those doors closed. They can't be opened unless the jet is depressurized. So there was no danger, but it was a good idea to handcuff him since he might have injured other passengers. (I'm a retired airline pilot who flew the A320).

[blackmusik]

Denver seems to be getting a lot of action this year

[reedermh]

So how much did Spirit charge the passenger in add-on fees? (You know, early door opening, handcuffing, flight diversion)

[ZsomborZsombibi]

"...passenger that's been cuffed... hands, legs, and neck. 8 other passengers are sitting on him, knocked out. Situation safe."

[captaingordon]

(He called in “left downwind” ...picture shows ‘right’)

[wycombewanderer]

I guess the passenger is going to become a seasoned train traveller from now on.

[msjdb]

Now I'm going to have to google psychological reasons for trying to open the door of your aircraft while it's in the air. I mean, I know the person is nuts, but I would like to see if mental health professionals have addressed this particular issue.

[docnele]

... the person involved in the incident has been given the best psychiatric help available in prison.

[nataleeolson]

I think the pilots knows the door cant be opened in flight. But it still is a breach of safety and all the other passengers may not have that knowledge. Before i looked farther into aviation i would not of know that. It much like trying to enter the cockpit. Would someone be able to get the door open probably not but it is still an unsafe event.

[worldsendace]

The doors won't open ... He should know that. ;:)

[donnafromnyc]

The passenger, after being cuffed, should have been spanked! 😵