In 1988, starting from Berlin - Schoenefeld (Germany) with Interflug, the national carrier of the GDR, we were on our way to Constanta (Romania). All went smooth so far, great flight, great aircraft (Ilyushin Il-62M).



After some time I noticed a man standing up and going straight to the hindmost of the 2 cabin doors located on the right hand side. He seemed to be very calm, unthinking and absent-minded. After reaching the door he immediately started trying to open it. He tried pulling the hand gear, pushing and kicking the door and beating the small window.

Just to make it clear, at this time we have been at cruising altitude of 30000 feet. At this altitude a depressurized cabin would cause a catastrophe. However, of course it simply wouldn't be possible to just open the door in such altitude because of the overpressurized cabin and inward-opening doors.

Shortly two flight attendants arrived at the door, trying detaining him from further actions. Unfortunately this just made him angry. He now started beating at the flight attendants and yelling "he needs to exit immediately, going home, don't wants to stay etc." Probably some kind of fear of flying.

The flight attendants, solely female, weren't able to stop him. A few man from the front cabin now came to help them. Quickly a real fight was started. Finally they knocked him down and tied him up with several seat belts. For the rest of the flight he was tied to a single seat near the galley and gaged with a small towel to stop his yelling.


Today such rigorous actions would be unimaginable without a lawsuit and redress for the culprit. :( Good old days ...