A novice air traveler caused a costly mistake when she mistakenly opened the emergency door on an Air China flight at Quzhou Airport in eastern China’s Zhejiang province on Thursday night.
The flight, Air China Flight 2754, was preparing for takeoff when the unidentified woman, who claimed to have never flown before, made her way to the rear of the aircraft and opened the emergency exit without the flight crew’s notice, according to the South China Morning Post.
Another passenger, Cheng, recounted that the flight attendants were startled when the evacuation slide suddenly deployed from the side of the plane. A photo taken by an onlooker shows the large slide extended on the tarmac.
As a result, the plane was unable to depart, and passengers were offered a compensation of 400 yuan ($55) and overnight accommodations.
The South China Morning Post noted that activating the emergency escape can cost up to $28,000. The female passenger was reportedly in tears when she learned she would need to pay damages.
Police questioned the passenger who opened the door, but authorities have not released her identity, and it remains unclear if she will face any charges.
