MMA fighter saves flight by restraining man who ‘tried opening emergency exit door’

Josh Longood, a 37-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and former MMA fighter, stepped in to restrain a disruptive passenger on a Frontier Airlines flight from Puerto Rico to Chicago after he allegedly attacked a flight attendant and tried to force open an emergency exit door

A former MMA fighter has disclosed how he intervened to rescue the situation after a fellow passenger allegedly tried to open an emergency exit door during flight.

Josh Longood was journeying back to Chicago after his brother’s stag do in Puerto Rico on 31 May when another passenger allegedly attacked a flight attendant and attempted to prise open the emergency exit door aboard the Frontier aircraft.

The 37 year old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt quickly sprang into action, utilising his martial arts skills to restrain the man for roughly 10 minutes – before being summoned again after the passenger escaped from his bonds. Josh maintained control of him for an additional 20 to 30 minutes until the aircraft was compelled to make an emergency landing in Miami.

A medical device salesman by trade, he is a competitive BJJ black belt and former MMA fighter – making him exactly the right individual to step in. He described how, as a light sleeper, he rapidly became conscious of the developing drama just a few rows in front of him.

He initially observed the other passenger acting strangely. “He was just talking and acting crazy,” he said. “I could tell he wasn’t going to calm down, so I just kept an eye on him because there were females and young kids around.”, reports the Mirror. Josh claimed the disturbance began when somebody attempted to collect a bag positioned next to the individual, whereupon he purportedly began his assault. “I immediately responded and safely positioned him to where he couldn’t hurt anyone,” he explained. “I’m just thankful I was seated close to him, so I was able to resolve the situation without anyone getting injured. It was my years of BJJ training that helped me stay calm and handle the situation.”

He stated that he wouldn’t think twice about intervening again should circumstances require it. “I’m confident in my training and abilities to handle real-life situations like these,” he remarked.

A Frontier spokesperson verified that an incident had occurred on Flight 3345 to Chicago, which was compelled to divert due to a disruptive passenger.

She told The Mirror: “On Sunday, May 31, a passenger on flight 3345 from San Juan to Chicago O’Hare became disruptive and the flight was diverted to Miami. Law enforcement boarded the aircraft in Miami and removed the passenger and the flight subsequently continued on to Chicago a few hours later.”

Last month, a United Airlines flight was obliged to divert following a mid-air emergency after a passenger reportedly tried to open a door.

There were 145 passengers and six crew members aboard the aircraft, travelling from Newark Liberty International Airport to Guatemala City, when the pilot made the decision to divert due to an unruly passenger. Officers greeted Flight 1551 as the Boeing 737-8 MAX landed safely at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

It’s physically impossible for a passenger to open a commercial aircraft door at cruising altitude due to mechanical locks and atmospheric pressure. Modern commercial aircraft are designed with “plug-type” doors, meaning the door is physically larger than the opening frame it fits into, much like a bath plug. To open the door, it must first be pulled slightly inwards before it can be turned or pushed outwards, and this would be impossible due to the cabin pressure.