Plane passenger stands trial in China for opening hatch

BEIJING -- The trial of a female passenger began on Monday after she opened the emergency hatch of an Asiana Airlines plane while the aircraft was in motion.

The trial, in Yanji City in the northeast province of Jilin, is the first of its kind in China.

The passenger, surnamed Piao, stands accused of harming public safety with dangerous means, according to a statement on the website of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

Piao opened the emergency hatch door and activated the emergency escape slide while the plane was taxiing before take-off On Feb 12, the statement said.

The crew had to ground the plane and the flight was delayed by four hours, which affected traffic at the Yanji Airport, the statement said.

After an investigation, police arrested the suspect on Feb 23.

China's civil aviation security regulation clearly states that opening the emergency hatch without authorization is forbidden.

CAAC data shows that there have been 12 other incidents this year involving the unauthorized opening of hatches by passengers.

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