Emergency exit doors, useful for emergencies where the evacuation of the aircraft is essential for your survival, however one woman in China decided to let in some fresh air is also another one of their primary purposes.
Xiamen Air flight 8215 had just completed the first leg of its journey from Jinjiang, China to Wuhan, China and was taxiing out to the runway on it’s the second leg to Lanzhou, China. During taxi, a woman who was seated in the exit row of the B737-800 was briefed about sitting next to an emergency exit door and had been reminded a few times not to touch the button that opens the door. However, while the cabin crew were helping other passengers she pressed the button and opened the door for some “fresh air” while the aircraft was taxiing to the runway, she detained by police and the flight was delayed for over an hour.
The flight departed normally and no one was injured in the attempt to get fresh air. The aircraft was fitted with individual air vents which were operational at the time.
She wouldn’t have been able to open it in flight due to air pressure. I am just curious as to how the aircraft was only delayed by 1 hour, I never knew it took that short to replace an emergency exit door?
Not 100% sure, but I believe the overwing exits on the B737-800 are not completely removed from the airplane when opened, but just remain above the exit, and should therefore be relatively easy to close again.
The pressure doesn’t play a huge role on a 737. The over wing exits are not the plug type like on an Airbus, they fold outwards and upwards. What stops someone from opening them is a mechanical lock which engages when takeoff thrust is set.
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