Man who opened plane door over South Korea says he wanted out ‘quickly’

The Asiana Airlines plane was carrying

nearly 200 passengers as it approached
the runway on Friday at Daegu
international airport on a domestic ight.

When the plane was about 200 metres

(650 feet) above ground, the man, who
police said was in his 30s, popped open
the exit door.

The man was taken in by Daegu police

for questioning. He told of cers he had
been “under stress after losing a job recently”.

“He felt the ight was taking too long and he felt suffocated inside the cabin,” a Daegu
police detective said.

“He wanted out quickly.”

The man faces up to 10 years in prison for violating aviation safety laws.

A video clip shot by a passenger showed wind ripping through the open door, with
passengers’ hair ying wildly. The passengers were thrown into a panic by the sudden
situation.

Another video, shared on social media, showed terri ed passengers sitting next to an open
emergency exit door. They were being blown by strong winds.

A dozen passengers were taken to hospital after experiencing breathing dif culties, but
there were no major injuries or damage.

“It was chaos with people close to the door appearing to faint one by one and ight
attendants calling out for doctors on board,” a 44-year-old passenger said.

“I thought the plane was blowing up. I thought I was going to die like this.”

A transport ministry of cial said that this was “the rst such incident” they were aware of in
Korean aviation history.

Experts say South Korea’s aviation industry has a solid safety record.
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Asiana Airlines Incident: Vocabulary Review:

Pop open Want out Blow up Taken in

Under stress Call out Take too long Throw into a panic

*Remember: Change the phrase to t it into the sentence when necessary.*

1. Because I have a fear of overcrowded spaces, I felt terrified on the stuffy subway at
rush hour. I desperately ____________ of the crowded and suffocating subway car as
soon as possible.

2. The captain announced that our plane would make an emergency landing. It _________
the passengers __________, and many of them were crying and screaming.

3. The suspect, a man in his 20s, was seen by a witness climbing over a fence. Yesterday,
he was ____________ by the police. They plan to question him further on whether he was
the one who stole his neighbour’s dog.

4. When the turbulence hit, the plane started shaking. The overhead compartments
unexpectedly ______________, scattering items and surprising the passengers.

5. The restaurant ______________ to bring out the food, leaving the hungry customers
waiting for over an hour. As a result of the delay, several customers gave the restaurant
harsh reviews on Google.

6. There was a loud explosion through the city as the fireworks factory suddenly
______________, sending debris into the sky.

7. The teacher loudly _____________ the student's name in front of the class to check if
he was present or absent.

8. She felt _________ a lot of ___________ as the deadline for her project approached,
causing her sleepless nights and heightened anxiety.
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 • Summer is coming. Do you have any trips abroad planned for this summer?

• Have you been using English in your life recently?

• Do you have any questions or topics you would like to discuss today?

Reading Comprehension

1. What airline was involved in this incident?

2. What was the plane’s destination?

3. How many passengers were on the plane?

4. How high was the plane above the ground when the man opened the door?

5. Approximately how old is the man?

6. What was the man’s excuse for opening the door?

7. What punishment does he face now?

8. Was anyone hurt during the incident?

9. How did the other passengers feel during it?

10. How did the public learn about this incident?

What usually happens when we board a plane?

Air Travel Experience: Discuss di erent aspects of air travel such as boarding procedures, cabin
comfort, ight duration, and in- ight safety measures. Encourage the learner to share their own
experiences and ask them to compare their experiences with the incident in the news.

When we get on a plane, a few things usually happen. First, we show our boarding passes and
passports to the airline sta at the gate. They check our documents and scan our boarding
passes. Then, we walk through a long hallway or outside to reach the plane. When we enter the
plane, the ight attendants greet us and help us nd our seats or put our bags away. We sit down,
fasten our seatbelts, and get ready for the ight. The ight attendants show us a safety
demonstration, either by doing it themselves or by showing a video. They explain what to do in
case of an emergency. The pilot talks to us over the speakers, telling us how long the ight will be
and what the weather is like. Before the plane takes o , the ight attendants check that everyone
is sitting down and that the overhead compartments are closed. Finally, the plane drives on the
runway and, when given permission by air tra c control, it speeds up and takes o , starting the
ight to our destination.

Consequences of Impulsive Actions: Analyze the consequences of impulsive actions and their
impact on individuals and others around them. Discuss how the man's impulsive decision to open
the emergency exit a ected the passengers and crew members, and what alternative actions he
could have taken.
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 • Because of (noun phrase) / Because…,
• As a consequence of (noun phrase), / As a consequence
• Due to (noun phrase),
• To face consequences for one’s actions…
Because the man wanted to exit the plane quickly, he opened the door when the plane was
mid-air.
Because of the man’s desire to exit…
The wind was blowing strongly. As a consequence, passengers’ hair was ying wildly
As a consequence of the strong wind, passengers’ hair was ying.
Due to his actions, the man faces imprisonment. He will face severe consequences for his
actions.

Emergency Procedures: Discuss emergency procedures that passengers are typically briefed on
before ights. Talk about the importance of following instructions from the crew during
emergencies and the potential dangers of not adhering to safety protocols.

Is it OK to share videos of this incident online?

Media In uence: Explore the role of media in reporting incidents and shaping public perception.
Discuss the ethics of sharing videos or images of such incidents and the impact they can have on
individuals involved. Encourage the learner to share their opinion on the role of media in reporting
news.

Why it’s good to share it:

1. highlighting the potential risks and safety concerns associated with air travel. It can prompt
discussions on aviation safety and potentially lead to improvements in safety measures.

2. helping investigators understand the sequence of events and contributing to a more

comprehensive investigation. Sharing videos can provide context and a visual representation of
what occurred.

3.more di cult for the responsible party to deny or downplay the severity of the incident. It can
lead to greater accountability and potentially in uence the legal proceedings or disciplinary
actions taken against those involved.

Why it’s wrong to share it:

4. Privacy and sensitivity: Sharing videos can infringe upon the privacy of individuals involved
in the incident, both passengers and crew members. It can also cause distress and trauma
to those who experienced the event rsthand. Respecting the privacy and well-being of
individuals should be a priority.

5. Potentially sensationalizing the event: Sharing videos without appropriate context or without
considering the potential impact on viewers can sensationalize the incident. It may evoke
unnecessary fear, panic, or anxiety among the public, especially if the footage is graphic or
overly dramatic.
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