JetBlue Passenger Attempts to Open Emergency Exit After Mistaking Normal Aircraft Noise for Mechanical Failure

A JetBlue passenger attempted to open an emergency exit door after misinterpreting a normal aircraft sound as a mechanical failure. The incident, captured on video that later went viral, shows the confused woman arguing with other passengers before rushing toward the emergency exit while the plane was still on the ground.

According to Aviation A2Z, the woman, who mentioned her boyfriend was a pilot, became alarmed after hearing what's commonly known as a "barking dog" noise typical in Airbus A320 aircraft. When she attempted to access an over-wing exit, a quick-thinking flight attendant calmly intervened, preventing a potential safety incident.

The noise that triggered the passenger's panic is actually produced by the Power Transfer Unit (PTU), a standard hydraulic component in Airbus A320-family aircraft. This system works to balance hydraulic pressure between systems, particularly during engine start, single-engine taxi operations, or shutdown procedures.

Social media reactions to the incident were mixed. Some users suggested the woman might have been experiencing flight anxiety, while others praised the airline staff for their professional handling of the situation.

One commenter noted, "If you notice, the cabin crew understood it was anxiety and helped her understand," while another quipped, "Next time, maybe she should bring earplugs instead of a pilot boyfriend. Less drama, more peace."

Another user shared a personal experience: "I know someone who had severe phobia of flying. It took many flights where I explained every noise and every stage of the flight before she felt ok flying by herself. With that experience, I believe that explaining this stuff calmly is the best way forward."

The viral video was shared widely across social media platforms, showing the incident as it unfolded.

This isn't the first such incident involving emergency exit attempts. In August, a Ryanair flight was diverted to Manchester Airport after a passenger reportedly tried to open an emergency exit mid-flight. Fellow passengers intervened, alerting the cabin crew who informed the captain.

After landing safely at Manchester, police removed the woman from the aircraft. Engineers inspected the plane for potential damage and made necessary repairs before the flight continued its journey to Agadir, Morocco.