Staff at Detroit Metro had an unfortunate incident on August 7, 2000 when a Jetway’s overhead weather door became unfastened from its safeties and rolled down while passengers were disembarking.
The unlucky front-cabin passenger who was knocked to the floor was none other than Irwin Jacobs, takeover artist who had made a run at NWA in 1989 with his comrade Carl Pohlad.
From the Minneapolis StarTribune, Saturday, December 16, 2000:
“It could have killed me… It hit me on the head. I was very fortunate.”
Jacobs, who reportedly is in compensation discussions with Eagan-based Northwest… had nothing negative to say about the response of NWA’s employees. He said he remains a high-mileage frequent flyer on his hometown airline despite being momentarily knocked out in the mishap.
“They were gracious and very concerned,” Jacobs said. “They reacted quite well.”
Northwest spokesman Jon Austin said Jacobs declined immediate medical assistance and later that day caught another Northwest flight from the airport. The company’s report said the whammy left a bump on Jacobs’ head.
“He continues to fly with us extensively,” Austin said.
