Man arrested after climbing on wing of plane at Las Vegas airport

LAS VEGAS — This happened in Vegas. And a man is staying in Vegas because of it.

Police in Las Vegas arrested a man who climbed onto the wing of a commercial plane at McCarran International Airport on Saturday.

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Alaska Airlines Flight 1367 from Las Vegas to Portland, Oregon, was preparing for takeoff at about 1:32 p.m. local time when the pilot noticed a man on the tarmac approaching the aircraft, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

According to Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Lt. Ken Nogle, investigators believe the man jumped a perimeter fence, then climbed onto the wing of the grounded plane, the newspaper reported.

“Impairment or mental illness is suspected,” Nogle told reporters.

A video shot by a passenger shows the man sitting and walking on the wing, CNN reported. The man then takes off his shoes and socks before trying to climb the Boeing 737′s winglet. As law enforcement officials approached, the man slipped off the winglet and fell to the tarmac.

Police arrested the man shortly after, KNTV reported.

“Around 2 p.m. PST, Alaska Airlines flight 1367 from Las Vegas to Portland was preparing for takeoff when the pilot noticed an individual advancing towards the aircraft,” Alaska Airlines said in a statement. “The pilots notified the tower. Law enforcement was dispatched and able to apprehend the individual. Our guests and employees are safe and we are working with law enforcement. The plane has returned to the gate for a full inspection.”

There was no information available about the man’s identity or his condition, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

According to Alaska Airlines’ website, the flight left the airport at 4:48 p.m. local time, CNN reported.

Cox Media Group