A former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter recounted how he intervened when a fellow airplane passenger allegedly attempted to open an emergency exit mid-flight. Josh Longood, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, was on his way back to Chicago from his brother’s bachelor party in Puerto Rico on May 31 when a disruptive incident unfolded aboard a Frontier plane.
Using his martial arts skills, Longood successfully subdued the unruly passenger for about 10 minutes initially and then again for 20 to 30 minutes after the passenger broke free from restraints. The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Miami, where authorities took control of the situation.
By profession, Longood is a medical device salesman, but his expertise in BJJ and MMA proved invaluable in handling the tense situation inflight. He noticed the erratic behavior of the disruptive passenger and acted swiftly to prevent any harm to other travelers, especially women and children in the vicinity.
Reflecting on the incident, Longood expressed gratitude for being able to resolve the situation without any injuries, crediting his BJJ training for keeping him composed. He emphasized his readiness to respond to similar challenges in the future, underscoring his confidence in his abilities.
A spokesperson from Frontier Airlines confirmed the incident on Flight 3345, stating that the flight had to be diverted due to the disruptive passenger. Similarly, in a separate incident, a United Airlines flight also had to divert recently following a mid-air emergency caused by a passenger.
It is worth noting that opening a commercial airplane door mid-flight is physically impossible due to the aircraft’s design, which includes mechanical locks and atmospheric pressure safeguards. The doors are engineered to withstand the pressure difference, making it unfeasible for a passenger to open them during flight.