Passenger Detained after Opening Emergency Slide on KLM flight at Atlanta Airport
On November 25, 2025, Atlanta Police Department officers responded to KLM Flight 622, bound for Amsterdam, following a report of a passenger with a possible weapon. The aircraft had returned to Ramp 9 after a call to 911 by a passenger concerned about another individual onboard.
Upon arrival, APD officers took custody of the caller, 32-year-old Johannes Van Heertum, and began a preliminary investigation. Authorities determined that Van Heertum believed he saw another passenger with a weapon and, in a state of panic, opened an emergency exit door while the plane was taxiing. This action deployed the aircraft’s inflatable slide.
Van Heertum appeared to be experiencing a mental health episode at the time. EMTs evaluated him at the International Terminal Precinct. He was subsequently charged with:
- Reckless Conduct
- Criminal Damage to Property
- Interfering with Security Measures
He was transported to Clayton County Jail without incident. The APD Homeland Security unit was notified of the situation.
No injuries were reported, and the incident caused a temporary delay of the flight. The investigation remains open.
