Air France flight makes emergency landing after naked passenger tries to force way into cockpit

Associated Press | August 20, 2002

[HAL9000]

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Aug 20, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- An Air France flight bound for Oslo, Norway, was forced to make an emergency landing in Belgium after a naked passenger tried to storm the cockpit, authorities said Tuesday.

The flight which left Paris shortly before 20.15 local time on Monday was rerouted to Brussels international airport after the 31-year-old stripped off all his clothes at his seat and tried to force his way into the cockpit, officials at the Brussels prosecutor's office said.

The pilot requested help from Belgian air traffic control which allowed the plane to land. The man, a French national of Tunisian origin was removed from the plane and arrested by police. He was later released without being charged.

Authorities did not give his name of the passenger and did not say why he tried to storm the flight deck.

Copyright 2002 Associated Press, All rights reserved

[Billthedrill]

I have an alibi.

[TADSLOS]

He could be infected and placed on the plane as a carrier. They should have quarantined the passengers and crew as a precaution.

[spqrzilla9]

Ah, those funloving madcap French.

[tractorman]

Sounds like assault with a dead weapon.

[Senator_Blutarski]

A PETA protest in the air? Perhaps the plane hit a bird and sent a PETA nut into a rage...

[dighton]

The man, a French national of Tunisian origin was removed from the plane and arrested by police. He was later released without being charged.

The Belgian authorities are crazier than he is.

[Unknown Freeper]

They let him go? This is okay? What if he had something and was contagious? So, running to the cockpit naked is not a crime in this day and age? I can't believe they let him go. What if he were the distraction while his partners in crime were back in the coach section with weapons. geesh.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Let the cockpit jokes begin...

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Sounds like something involving alcohol and a dare.

[TennTuxedo]

Insiders, under the cinsition of anonimity, said that France briefly considered surrendering the country. However, the airline was able to subdue the man's small loaded weapon.

[RichInOC]

"S'il vous plait, m'sieur, don't point that thing at me. You are making me nervous."

[Shryke]

Perhaps he was trying to force his ***k into the waypit?

[general_re]

Simple misunderstanding. The passenger was merely on his way to Oslo for that city's annual Naked Mime convention, when he became confused and mistook the cockpit door for the door to the john. Upon becoming frustrated that the "occupant" was not relinquishing the facilities in a reasonable timeframe, he attmpted to gain entry.

Nothing to see here. You don't need to see his papers - this isn't the naked mime you're looking for. Move along.

[Orual]

The Belgian authorities are crazier than he is.

Ah, yes. So stoopeed.

[Drango]

Q. Know why they banned Champagne on Air France?

A. 'Cause every time they would pop a cork, all the French passengers and pilots would throw their hands in the air and surrender.

[robertpaulsen]

He was heard to say, "Vous voulez prendre quelque chose", which translated is "Hold ma beer and watch this!"

[My2Cents]

Ah, do not be too queek to make fun of zee leetle gray cells, eh?

[veronica]

Brings to mind the one and only David Niven, who, upon being upstaged by a streaker at the 1974 Oscars famously quipped...

"Just think, the only laugh that man will probably ever get is for stripping and showing off his shortcomings."

[mombonn]

Maybe he had to oui oui and stormed the wrong door.