Alaska

Video shows “anxious” flier opening Alaska Airlines door, walking onto wing

Published

1 year ago

December 30, 2024

Video shows “anxious” flier opening Alaska Airlines door, walking onto wing

An “anxious” Alaska Airlines passenger opened the plane’s emergency exit and stepped out onto the wing while other passengers watched in shock through their windows, video obtained by Newsweek shows.

The incident occurred on December 22 after the flight from Milwaukee landed and parked at the gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Why It Matters

The incident happened during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, with American Automobile Association (AAA) forecasting record-breaking holiday travel numbers.

What To Know

The video obtained by Newsweek, provided by the Port of Seattle, shows the woman on the wing for about 11 minutes before firefighters used a ladder to assist her back onto solid ground. Alaska Airlines described the woman as a “disruptive guest” and confirmed the matter was resolved safely.

The footage shows the passenger wearing a red shirt and carrying a backpack as she stands near the edge of the wing. Initial confusion delayed the response, with airport staff and vehicles passing by seemingly unaware of the situation.

After firefighters assisted the woman, she was evaluated by a police crisis team.

Chris Guizlo, director of communications and marketing at the Port of Seattle, told Newsweek via email on Monday: “During deplaning of the aircraft, a passenger on board became anxious and opened the emergency exit over the wing. The woman climbed out onto the wing. Port of Seattle Fire responded and helped the passenger off the aircraft wing to the ramp. Port Police crisis team responded and eventually determined to send the passenger to the hospital for evaluation.”

He added: “Our crisis teams are trained to respond to unusual circumstances like these with care and professionalism. We will continue working closely with Alaska Airlines to review the response and improve coordination if needed.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is also investigating the incident but has not filed charges.

A passenger aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 323 is seen climbing out of the emergency exit and onto the aircraft’s wing after landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on December 22.

Port of Seattle

What People Are Saying

Aviation expert Scott Hamilton spoke to local news station KIRO 7: “If there’s clearly no intent of some kind, you just kind of go with the flow, so to speak. And [what] would be the point of charging that person?”

Alaska Airlines in statement shared to Newsweek: “We are working with our crew and airport officials to gather more details about what may have transpired. We thank our employees for their swift response and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our guests.”

What Happens Next

The investigation by the FBI and local authorities will determine whether any charges are warranted. Alaska Airlines is conducting an internal review to assess safety protocols and response measures. This incident may prompt discussions in the aviation industry about handling similar disruptions, especially during peak travel periods.

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Alaska

Polar bear undergoes root canal at Alaska Zoo

Published

3 hours ago

March 23, 2026

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Polar bear undergoes root canal at Alaska Zoo

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (InvestigateTV) — Staff at the Alaska Zoo performed a root canal on one of its polar bears after the bear broke a canine tooth.

Kova, 4, shares an enclosure with another polar bear named Cranbeary. The two have toys, treats and a large pool where Kova likes to take her morning swim.

Curator Sam Lavin noticed something was wrong when Kova’s behavior changed.

“Kova is a very interactive and busy bear and she just seemed kind of off. She was pawing at her mouth a little bit,” Lavin said.

Lavin suspected a tooth issue and asked Kova to open her mouth for a closer look.

“We could see that she had broken one of her canines and there’s any number of ways she could have done that,” Lavin said.

An X-ray confirmed the diagnosis. Zoo staff consulted with a veterinary specialist outside Alaska, sent the X-rays and received advice on how to proceed.

“We went with a local doctor to do the work,” Lavin said.

An endodontist who normally operates on humans was part of the large team that performed the root canal on the fully sedated 450-pound bear.

“Everybody knew ahead of time what their role was and what to do and where to be and it was so well planned out and everybody worked so well together,” Lavin said.

The procedure went smoothly.

“She feels so much better,” Lavin said.

The zoo said Kova quickly recovered and is back with her playmate Cranbeary.

Alaska

Alaska disability advocates praise progress and push for more at state Capitol

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15 hours ago

March 23, 2026

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Alaska

West Valley’s Jayden Miranda named Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

West Valley’s Jayden Miranda named Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year

West Valley Wolfpack junior guard Jayden Miranda looks to pass the ball during a 56-38 loss to the Forest Wildcats from Ocala, Florida during the opening round of the Alaska Airlines Classic at West Anchorage High School on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Junior Jayden Miranda on Friday became the latest player from West Valley High School to be named Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

“It feels good and it was definitely one of the goals that I had to check off my checklist,” he said. “I woke up, and I didn’t know. My coach told me, and it was just excitement in my heart. My heart was beating and I was just smiling.”

Miranda led the Wolfpack boys basketball team to a Mid Alaska Conference championship and the No. 1 seed at the 2026 ASAA 4A state tournament.

The 5-foot-11 guard also helped lead West Valley to a 22-4 record, and through 23 games, he averaged 14.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists as well as shooting 51.8% from the floor and 39.7% from the perimeter.

“Miranda is a great kid on and off the court — gets good grades and never gets in trouble,” North Pole head coach Travis Church said in a statement. “Looking around 4A, I don’t see anyone who would measure up. He’s the best player on the best team in the state. It’s hard for me to imagine going with anyone else.”

Miranda is the second player from the program to receive the award. The first was two-time recipient Stewart Erhart, who was honored in back-to-back years from 2022-23.

The award acknowledges a student-athlete’s athletic achievement, and also recognizes outstanding academic excellence and exceptional character displayed on and off the court.

Miranda maintained a 3.36 GPA and volunteered locally with the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, donated time as a youth basketball coach and is a practiced artist who has also taken multiple cooking classes in high school.

He and the top-seeded Wolfpack fell short of advancing to the finals Friday after losing 59-52 to fifth-seeded South Anchorage.

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