US passenger opens plane door and walks on wing as jet taxis

A man has been arrested after opening an emergency exit of a United Airlines jet and walking onto a wing as the plane taxied on the runway.

The man then slid down the wing onto the apron before attempting to guide the aircraft into the gate at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport on Thursday, AP reported.

Chicago police said the passenger on Flight 2478 was arrested and taken into custody.

The 57 year old from Escondido, California, has been charged with reckless conduct.

Police said the incident happened at about 4.31am when the jet was approaching the gate at Terminal 1.

The airline said members of its crew stopped the passenger outside the plane, which taxied to an airport gate to let other passengers exit.

“A male subject was onboard a plane that was approaching the gate when he pulled the emergency exit and walked out onto the wing of the plane,” Chicago police said, CNN reported.

“The subject then slid down the wing and onto the airfield.

“CPD arrived and placed him into custody. Charges are pending.”

When the plane arrived at the gate, all passengers left the aircraft safely, according to a statement from the airline.

“This morning United flight 2478 was taxiing towards the gate at Chicago O’Hare when a passenger opened an aircraft door and exited the plane,” the statement said.

“Our ground crew stopped the individual outside of the aircraft, and the person is now with law enforcement. The plane then arrived at the gate and all passengers deplaned safely. The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority.”