Man arrested for exiting Cyprus plane at takeoff

updated 10:09 a.m. ET Nov. 2, 2009

NICOSIA, Cyprus - Cyprus police arrested a Greek man for allegedly opening the rear exit of an airplane and sliding down an emergency chute as the plane was preparing to take off.

Suspect Moreno Tavares Lizason is being held for questioning on a four-day court detention order issued Monday. The 28-year-old sailor faces charges of causing damage to an aircraft.

Lizason is suspected of exiting the Athens-bound Cyprus Airways A320 jet Saturday night just moments after the captain ordered the crew to lock the aircraft doors.

Police say the man claimed he wanted to see if the aircraft's safety systems were working properly. They say after leaving the plane Lizason jumped a fence at Larnaca International Airport before police caught up with him.

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