Flier Tried to Open Jet's Door in Suicide Attempt

A man subdued as he tried to open the door of a passenger jet mid-flight wasn't trying to commit an act of terrorism—he was trying to kill himself, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Reynel Alcaide, 34, pushed a flight attendant out of the way and began banging on the door while on a Continental flight from Houston to Chicago on May 9, according to a court affidavit. The plane's design made it impossible for him to open the door, however, and passengers finally got him under control. Alcaide told authorities he was having marital trouble. He remains in custody, and a judge yesterday ordered a psychiatric evaluation. (More airplane stories.)