Newark Airport passenger arrested after deploying emergency chute on plane

A passenger on a flight at Newark Airport was arrested late Sunday night after he opened the emergency exit and activated the emergency chute.

Port Authority police responded to the scene around 10 p.m. after they received a report that a passenger was being disorderly, said Joe Pentangelo, senior police public information officer.

United Flight 1640 was bound for Tampa, Florida, and was at Terminal C, Gate 105, when Troy Fattun, 25, who lives in Micronesia and is a U.S. national, opened the exit and deployed the chute, Pentangelo said.

Fattun was found about 50 feet away from the plane, walking toward the active runway, said Pentangelo. Before using the chute, Fattun believed there was a discrepancy with his ticket and approached flight attendants during the pre-flight checks. He told the attendants that he believed he had gotten on the wrong plane, but he failed to show his boarding pass when prompted.

Fattun pushed past the two attendants toward the rear exit and attempted to open the door. One of the attendants tried to stop the man, but he pushed her back into the aisle before he managed to open the door and activate the chute, Pentangelo said. Fattun slid down the chute and was arrested by police on the tarmac.

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There were no injuries, and Fattun is facing charges of criminal mischief, criminal trespass and interference with transportation. He was taken to the Essex County Jail.

Email: kanzler@northjersey.com