An investigation is underway at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport after a security lapse.
A man was arrested after apparently scaling a perimeter fence late at night and accessed a parked aircraft.
Zackaria Mohamud Mudasir, 39, then deployed the emergency slide on a United Airlines plane.
He was spotted and soon apprehended by police.
He was seen entering the secure area of Terminal 2 from the jetway.
After questioning he admitted deploying the slide which authorities were unaware of up until this time.
Mudasir has been charged with criminal trespassing, criminal damage and providing false information to law enforcement.
According to court documents, an emergency slide deployment costs the airline about $40,000.
"We are aware of this issue which happened early in the morning at Phoenix Sky Harbor involving one of our aircraft and are working closely with local authorities," United said in a statement.
