A manic passenger sparked terror when he tried to open the exit door mid-flight and kill all those on board.
The suspect, who has not been named, lunged for the handle on the trip from Tokyo to Houston, Texas, on Saturday morning.
But before he could tear it open others on the plane leaped in, hauled him away and pinned him to the floor.
The All Nippon Airways flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Seattle Airport, nine hours into the 12-hour journey.
The international airport confirmed the man was physically restraining while flying over Washington State.
Spokesman Chris Guizlo said: ‘Police and EMS were told that a passenger tried to open an emergency exit door mid-flight.’
All Nippon Airways Flight NH14 was forced to make an emergency landing in Seattle some nine hours into the 12 hours flight from Asia to the United States
The Boeing 777 was just over three hours from landing when the unnamed passenger jumped from his seat and made a beeline for the emergency exit.
Most customers were likely asleep on the long-haul overnight flight when he made the dramatic move.
The captain made the decision to turn the plane back to Seattle and managed to get it on the ground within 45 minutes.
Airplane doors generally cannot be opened midflight because air pressure differences between inside and outside the cabin keep cabin doors sealed in place.
The captain of the aircraft made the decision to turn the plane around back to Seattle and managed to get the plane back on the ground within 45 minutes of the incident occurring
Airplane doors generally cannot be opened midflight because air pressure differences between inside and outside – but that didn’t stop the terror from spreading through the cabin
Law enforcement and medical personnel were already standing by on the tarmac when the plane arrived at SeaTac around 4.20am.
Airport officials said the passenger was removed and immediately transported to a local hospital, where he was evaluated for a medical crisis.
As of Saturday night no charges had been announced, and the individual’s identity and current condition remain unknown.
Flight-tracking site FlightAware confirmed the plane later resumed its route and landed in Houston at 12.15pm, about four hours behind schedule.
