According to Hainan Airlines, an economy class passenger on HU7603 stormed to the front cabin door after the pushback of the flight on January 3rd. The security officer onboard responded quickly to control the passenger with the assistance of the passengers in business class and later handed him over to the police.The HU7603 was scheduled to fly from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). The flight taxied back to the terminal after the incident and was canceled afterward.According to another passenger onboard, Yi, the incident happened around 9:05 pm, and the HU7603 was already in line for takeoff. One male passenger suddenly ran from the rear of the plane, stormed to the front cabin door, and shouted, "The plane is going to crash. Death is coming." Also, it looked like he was trying to open the front cabin door before the security officer and the passengers from the business class controlled him.

Yi also recalled that the cabin crew tried to calm the male passenger before he could reach the front door, but he remained agitated and even became physically violent with those who counseled him.

After being controlled by the security officer, the male passenger still shouted, "everybody who wants to live, get off the plane now!" However, Yi said the male passenger never said what exactly would happen to the plane.

According to Yi, most passengers were scared after the incident and asked the cabin crew if they could get off the plane. But still, a few passengers asked when the plane would fly.

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Police statement

The Bureau of Public Security of the Capital Airport issued a press statement on the night of January 4th, as follows,

At 21:13 on January 3rd, 2023, the crew of flight HU7603 reported the incident. When the flight was taxiing for departure from PEK, a male passenger in the cabin disturbed the cabin order, and the flight was sliding back.

After receiving the report, the police immediately arrived at the scene and summoned the passenger Ha (male, 25 years old) to the police station to investigate the incident. During the investigation, the police found that the man's mental state was abnormal, and he was sent to a professional medical institution for further treatment.This incident is still under investigation.

Hainan Airlines canceled the flight

On the evening of January 4th, Hainan Airlines published an official statement on its Weibo page, saying the cancelation of the flight was due to "the overnight closure of Hongqiao Airport."

However, on the night of the incident, the SMS message sent by Hainan Airlines to passengers of the HU7603 for confirmation of the cancellation, the reason was due to "public safety."

Legal consequences

According to Chinese laws, people who disturb the normal operation of the flight can be punished by the Criminal Law or the Law of the Public Security Administration (when it does not constitute a crime).

In this case, because public security already found that the male passenger may have a mental illness, the passenger will get a medical assessment before being judged by the legal system. If the passenger is found out that he committed the act when he was unable to recognize or control his own behavior, he shall not be punished according to law; but if the passenger is intermittently mentally ill and committed acts while in a normal state of mind, he shall be punished. In that case, he will likely face detention for five to ten days with a fine.

Additionally, Hainan Airlines is entitled to claim damages due to the incident from the male passenger and his guardian.