Terrifying mid-air brawl: Window shatters during two intense fights on flight
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It's a scenario that nobody wants to imagine happening during a flight, but unfortunately, it became a reality for passengers on a recent Cairns to Darwin journey.
According to reports, two mid-air altercations occurred during the April 20 flight, resulting in one of the plane's windows being shattered. By the end of the flight, four passengers had been arrested.
It was a terrifying flight – a horrific scene of chaos, fists flying and a smashed window; all played out as panicked passengers looked on.
The April 20 flight departed Cairns, bound for Darwin, with a stopover in Alyangula on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory.
However, an altercation between passengers prompted the decision to turn the plane around and land back in Cairns, according to police.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Northern Territory Police confirmed that charges were laid.
‘The AFP was called to attend an incident on a flight from Cairns to Groote Eylandt, which had caused the flight to be turned around, on Thursday, April 20,’ a spokesperson for AFP told reporters.
When the first alleged incident broke out, the plane was forced to turn back to Queensland and remove one of the passengers. A woman was charged by the AFP with disorderly behaviour, assault and failing to comply with the safety instructions provided by the airline crew.
Then, the unnamed airline attempted to make another trip across Northern Australia a second time.
But the same group of passengers involved in the first alleged incident began arguing again, which resulted in another fight. The second incident was caught on camera.
In a video released online, a group of rowdy passengers stand near the aisle, where one of them could be seen raising a bottle above their head, seemingly to strike another passenger.
The second brawl resulted in one of the plane’s windows getting smashed.
The pilot was forced to land the plane at Alyangula on Groote Eylandt and was met by NT police, who arrested the three passengers.
According to reports, a 23-year-old male was charged with intentionally endangering, damage to property, public disorderly behaviour, contravention of a domestic violence order and aggravated assault.
A 22-year-old woman was also charged with drug offences, hindering a police officer and public disorderly behaviour.
The last passenger, a 23-year-old woman, was charged with intentionally endangering, damage to property and public disorderly behaviour.
The aircraft carrier's name hasn't been revealed.
What happens when an aeroplane window breaks during a flight?
Plane windows usually have two layers. The initial layer, designed to provide a layer of insulation, can become loose or scratched. If this layer is damaged, it won’t cause any real harm to the plane or the passengers.
The exterior windows are made with solid glass, designed to withstand high altitudes and wind pressure.
Cases of the outer layers breaking are rare, but if it does happen, you can expect the airline to get very noisy because of the wind. The cabin will also lose air pressure, and it will get chilly and foggy.
However, while incredibly uncomfortable, it is still a safe situation. Flight attendants are well-trained and will have a series of airline-specific procedures that they will perform if a window breaks.
Have you ever had a frightening experience while travelling, or do you know anyone who has? Let us know in the comments below.
According to reports, two mid-air altercations occurred during the April 20 flight, resulting in one of the plane's windows being shattered. By the end of the flight, four passengers had been arrested.
It was a terrifying flight – a horrific scene of chaos, fists flying and a smashed window; all played out as panicked passengers looked on.
The April 20 flight departed Cairns, bound for Darwin, with a stopover in Alyangula on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory.
However, an altercation between passengers prompted the decision to turn the plane around and land back in Cairns, according to police.
Passengers and crew aboard the unidentified flight between Cairns and Darwin were left horrified after altercations broke out. Credit: Shane Kell/Pexels
Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Northern Territory Police confirmed that charges were laid.
‘The AFP was called to attend an incident on a flight from Cairns to Groote Eylandt, which had caused the flight to be turned around, on Thursday, April 20,’ a spokesperson for AFP told reporters.
When the first alleged incident broke out, the plane was forced to turn back to Queensland and remove one of the passengers. A woman was charged by the AFP with disorderly behaviour, assault and failing to comply with the safety instructions provided by the airline crew.
Then, the unnamed airline attempted to make another trip across Northern Australia a second time.
But the same group of passengers involved in the first alleged incident began arguing again, which resulted in another fight. The second incident was caught on camera.
The second incident allegedly shows a passenger raising a bottle over their head. Credit: JetSkiBandit/Twitter
In a video released online, a group of rowdy passengers stand near the aisle, where one of them could be seen raising a bottle above their head, seemingly to strike another passenger.
The second brawl resulted in one of the plane’s windows getting smashed.
The pilot was forced to land the plane at Alyangula on Groote Eylandt and was met by NT police, who arrested the three passengers.
According to reports, a 23-year-old male was charged with intentionally endangering, damage to property, public disorderly behaviour, contravention of a domestic violence order and aggravated assault.
A 22-year-old woman was also charged with drug offences, hindering a police officer and public disorderly behaviour.
The last passenger, a 23-year-old woman, was charged with intentionally endangering, damage to property and public disorderly behaviour.
The aircraft carrier's name hasn't been revealed.
What happens when an aeroplane window breaks during a flight?
Plane windows usually have two layers. The initial layer, designed to provide a layer of insulation, can become loose or scratched. If this layer is damaged, it won’t cause any real harm to the plane or the passengers.
The exterior windows are made with solid glass, designed to withstand high altitudes and wind pressure.
Plane windows breaking are very rare. Image credit: The Seniors Discount Club
Cases of the outer layers breaking are rare, but if it does happen, you can expect the airline to get very noisy because of the wind. The cabin will also lose air pressure, and it will get chilly and foggy.
However, while incredibly uncomfortable, it is still a safe situation. Flight attendants are well-trained and will have a series of airline-specific procedures that they will perform if a window breaks.
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