JetBlue suspect who opened plane door before takeoff at Boston Logan Airport identified

The passenger who attempted to open a JetBlue wing door just before takeoff and climb out at Logan Airport has been identified.

Massachusetts State Police arrested the suspect, Angel Luis Torres Morales, 23, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, for interfering with an aircraft operation.

JetBlue Flight 161 was reportedly taxiing on the runway Tuesday evening, ready to head to San Juan, Puerto Rico, when Torres Morales opened a door on the wing exit, triggering the emergency slide to deploy.

The report of the frightening sudden exit attempt came in at about 7:30 p.m., State Police spokesman Tim McGuirk said, with audio from the JetBlue pilot saying he could “hear the passengers screaming” but a “LEO” — law enforcement officer — was onboard and immediately jumped into action.

“Other passengers restrained the individual until Troopers arrived on scene to detain them for further questioning,” McGuirk said in a statement.

None of the passengers suffered injuries, officials said. The chaotic incident delayed the flight about three hours until the plane departed around 10:30 p.m.

Authorities took Torres Morales to an area hospital Tuesday night before he faced his arraignment in East Boston District Court Wednesday afternoon.

Fred Wynn, a passenger on the flight, told WCVB that the incident stemmed from a fight between Torres Morales and his girlfriend over a cellphone, which turned physical.

“They were behind me arguing,” Wynn said. “Then the guy got up and ran down the aisle. Then he went to the door and as soon as the door was open, the air marshal tackled him. Once they got him to the ground, I think everybody felt safe.”

The State Police called it “an isolated incident,” according to a preliminary investigation.

Boston Logan Airport flight comes to ‘screaming’ halt as passenger attempts to open door just before takeoff

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