(KGTV) – Chicago Police arrested an Escondido man accused of opening an emergency exit on a plane and sliding down the wing to the ground after the flight landed at O’Hare International Airport from San Diego.
WLS in Chicago reported the United Airlines flight from San Diego to Chicago arrived at O’Hare Airport just after 4:30 a.m. local time on Thursday when the incident occurred.
United Airlines issued the following statement to WLS regarding the incident: "This morning United flight 2478 was taxiing toward the gate at Chicago O'Hare when a passenger opened an aircraft door and exited the plane. Our ground crew stopped the individual outside of the aircraft, and the person is now with law enforcement. The plane then arrived at the gate and all passengers deplaned safely. The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority."
The man was later identified as Escondido resident Randy Frank Davila, 57. He was charged with one misdemeanor count of reckless conduct, according to the Chicago Police Department.
A relative told ABC 10News that Davila called family members after the incident and told them that he was just trying to get off the plane.
The incident did not impact airport operations.
