Tiger flyer's cigarette lighter mishap sparks emergency landing
A TigerAir flight was forced to make an emergency landing on Thursday morning after a passenger tried to light his cigarette in the toilet.
Two flight attendants quickly unlocked the toilet door when the smoke alarm went off at the Whitsunday Airport.
James Lindley, from the Sunshine Coast, says he is remorseful over the incident.
"I was just sitting there trying to get my lighter to work, literally nothing more sinister than that," he told 7 News.
"Obviously using a flammable object on a plane isn't the most sensible."
At 7.05 on Thursday morning, TigerAir flight TT332 left Brisbane for the Whitsundays and 30 minutes before landing at 8.20am, Lindley used his cigarette lighter in the bathroom.
"Yeah whilst seated on the toilet so they would've had a right view, poor things," Lindley said.
The incident triggered an emergency response for the landing in Proserprine.
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Airport Manager Tony Schulz said it was an odd case.
"Once the plane got on the ground the passenger was apprehended by local police," he said.
"I've been in the industry for quite a while it's the first time I've had this one."
Lindley was fined $900.
Smoking is outlawed on all domestic flights and in a statement, Tiger Air said it has zero tolerance for smoking on board.
The airline said the matter was appropriately handled with no impact to customers.
Lindley was fined $900.
"Yeah just a bit of tropical conditioning," he laughed.
"Hopefully the day will get better by the afternoon"
