Kiwi man who tried to open plane door in midair fined RM6,000

The restaurant manager was charged with endangering a Malaysia Airlines plane flying from Auckland to KLIA on Aug 12.

The Kiwi was believed to have consumed five cans of beer and a glass of liquor during the flight. (Bernama pic)

SEPANG: A Kiwi restaurant manager was fined RM6,000, in default 12 months’ jail, by the magistrate’s court here today for attempting to open the door of a Malaysia Airlines aircraft in midair during a flight from New Zealand to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) last Sunday.

Magistrate Mohamad Izwan Mohamed Noh meted out the fine on Cranwell Frazer Harry, 32, from Auckland, New Zealand.

The man, clad in an orange prison uniform, pleaded guilty to the charge.

Before handing down the sentence, the magistrate warned Cranwell not to repeat his action, which was a serious offence and could endanger the lives of other passengers and crew onboard.

Cranwell, who was in the dock and had tears rolling down his cheeks, nodded and said, “I promise, sir.”

He was charged with endangering an aircraft and the lives of those onboard by attempting to open the emergency door of flight MH0130 in midair during its flight from Auckland to KLIA at 11pm last Aug 12.

The charge was made under Regulation 97 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016, which provides a fine of up to RM50,000 or three years’ imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.

According to the facts of the case, an air stewardess on the flight from New Zealand to Vietnam, with transit at KLIA, saw Cranwell holding the handle of the emergency door of the aircraft and attempting to open it.

He was believed to have consumed fine cans of beer and a glass of liquor on the flight.

The stewardess asked Cranwell to move to another seat and informed the chief stewardess and the captain about the incident.

In mitigation, lawyer Zaflee Pakwanteh, representing Cranwell, said his client was en route to Vietnam for a holiday with friends and he regretted his action and apologised for it.

The two days spent in the police lockup had really taught him a lesson, said the lawyer.

Deputy public prosecutor Aziatul Afrizan Alias prosecuted. -FMT