Man Tried to Open Airplane's Door: Report

Passenger retrained; Chicago-bound flight lands safely in St. Louis

Chicago Breaking News is reporting a flight from Houston to Chicago was diverted to St. Louis Sunday afternoon because a passenger tried to open the plane's door during the flight.

Continental Airlines Flight 546 landed safely at Lambert International Airport after the incident. A witness told the Tribune that a man onboard tried to open the door, but a flight attendant's screams drew an air marshal, who restrained the man.

The passenger, a former reporter for the Tribune, said she feared it was somehow related to Osama Bin Laden's death.

"I started shaking and tears were coming out of my eyes," she said. "My heart was pounding through my chest."

The FAA confirmed the incident. After the plane made its emergency landing, the man who allegedly tried to open the door was taken into custody.

Continental Airlines said there was no indication the unruly passenger was in any way connected to a terrorist threat.

The plane was inspected for explosives. None were found, and it was allowed to continue its journey to Chicago.

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