LOS ANGELES, California (KTLA) – A man is in the hospital after he jumped out of an aircraft bound for Salt Lake City as it was taxiing away from the gate at the Los Angeles International Airport Friday evening, officials said.
At about 7:10 p.m. Friday, a United Express flight, operated by SkyWest Airlines, was leaving from the gate area when a male passenger onboard opened the door of the aircraft and exited onto the taxiway, according to L.A. airport police.
Authorities first responded when the flight crew reported a passenger had gotten up from his seat as the plane began taxiing, said FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller.
“The passenger pounded on the cockpit door and ultimately exited the plane through an emergency door, landing on the pavement,” Eimiller said in an email.
L.A. airport police and the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene immediately.
The male passenger was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries. The Associated Press reports he is expected to survive.
No one else onboard was injured and the aircraft was able to taxi back to the gate area, police said.
The incident comes a day after a driver crashed through a fence at a FedEx cargo facility at the airport, leading authorities on a pursuit that shut down several runways. The man was eventually detained.
Neither of the men have been publicly identified, and no further details were available on Friday’s incident. The FBI continuing to investigate with the help of local officials.
