• Flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam canceled after passenger opened emergency exit door while plane was taxiing
• Passenger faces multiple charges after being arrested for reckless behavior during possible mental health episode

A flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam was canceled after police said a passenger on board “panicked” and opened the emergency exit door while the plane was taxiing.

Investigators said the 48-year-old passenger, Johannes Van Heertum, now faces multiple charges related to the incident.

Police stated that Van Heertum “believed he saw another passenger with a weapon and appeared to panic,” calling 911 to report the possible weapon and opening the emergency exit door, deploying the inflatable slide onto one of the airport runways.

Authorities added that they believe Van Heertum was experiencing a possible mental health episode at the time.

The plane returned to an exit ramp, where police boarded the flight and took Van Heertum into custody.

After evaluation by the medical crew, he was charged with reckless conduct, second-degree criminal damage to property, and interfering with security measures, and was taken to Clayton County Jail, where he remains held without bond.