Flight Diverted When 'Unruly' Man Tries To Open Emergency Exit

An AirTran flight from Baltimore to Austin was diverted to Memphis on Monday after a passenger attempted to open the plane's emergency exit.

AirTran Flight 265 made an emergency landing in Tennessee when an "unruly" passenger tried to open a door in the rear of the plane, WREG-TV in Memphis reported late Monday.

Southwest Airlines spokesman Brad Hawkins said in an email late on Monday to the station that the flight was "safely diverted to (Memphis) this evening. I also understand there was an unruly customer among the 120 onboard." AirTran is a Southwest Airlines unit.

Latest: Do You Support Giving Illegals Citizenship? Vote Here Now

John Greaud, vice president of operations at Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, told the station the passengers were taken off the plane so officials could interview them and check the aircraft, the Associated Press reported.

Greaud added that the man, who was not identified, did not appear to be intoxicated.

A Southwest spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

The station said the man was detained by the FBI for two hours. Airport officials were working with the FBI to determine if any charges would be filed, the station said.

At about 8:30 p.m., the man was put in a police car and taken away — just as the plane took off, headed to Austin once again.

No one on the flight was harmed.

Urgent: Should Obamacare be Repealed? Vote Here Now

Related stories:

Southwest Flight Diverted to Phoenix After Bomb Threat Call

Snowden Affair Diverts Bolivian President's Plane in Europe