Passenger, 24, arrested for deploying plane's emergency slide

A young woman has been arrested for deploying a plane's emergency slide and "running wild" on the runway at a New York airport.

Cynthia McKnight, 24, from the city of Sacramento in California, was arrested at Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York State for deploying the plane’s emergency slide and whizzing down it before running on the tarmac.

American Airlines said the incident took place on Flight 3933 from Buffalo to Chicago when the plane was leaving the gate.

McKnight reportedly caused a disruption in the plane for unknown reasons before managing to open the main boarding door, deploying the emergency slide.

Cynthia McKnight and the plane's deployed emergency slide.
Cynthia McKnight, 24, is accused of deploying the plane’s emergency slide and whizzing down it before running on the tarmac. Source: Newsflash/Australscope

The young woman duly whizzed down the slide and ran around on the tarmac before being taken into custody.

"The individual was quickly apprehended by local law enforcement and has been placed on American’s internal refuse list pending further investigation," American Airlines said in a statement.

"We thank our team members for their professionalism and action to ensure the safety of our customers and crew."

NFA star Spencer Brown, offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills, was on the flight at the time.

"Sitting on a plane. A lady is p***ed," he tweeted.

"Lady pulls the emergency inflatable slide to escape the plane. Lady is running wild through the tarmac currently. Cops have arrived. Flight ruined. Memories made. Noice."

The plane, which had 65 passengers and four cabin crew members, was taken out of service and alternative flights were organised.

Pilot's makes 'important' announcement

The news comes after a pilot made what he claims is the most "important" announcement of his life during a flight after a controversial Covid measure was scrapped in the US.

One passenger onboard an Alaskan Airlines flight caught the moment the pilot announced the mandatory mandate had been overturned, mid-flight.

"It's over, immediately," he is heard saying over the intercom, as people start to clap and some are seen taking their masks off.

Newsflash/Australscope

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