The man climbs on the wing of the plane before taking off in Las Vegas

Authorities have arrested a man who was walking on a passenger jet before it crashed Saturday at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport.

The man jumped over the airport fence before boarding the Alaska Airlines passenger jet, a subsidiary of NBC. KSNV Report in Las Vegas.

Video obtained by NBC News showed the man walking on the wing, snatching the winglet (paddle at the end of the wing) and trying to take off his shoes and climb on the winglet. When officers approached the wing, he slipped and hit the ground.

McCarran spokesman Joe Rajcell said he was taken into custody and taken to a medical facility.

Alaska Airlines said in a statement that the plane was preparing to take off and had departed for Portland, Oregon, at around 2 p.m.

“Law enforcement was dispatched and the individual was arrested,” the airline said. “Our guests and staff are safe. We are working with law enforcement. The plane returned to the gate for a full inspection.”

According to KSNV, the authorities believe that the unnamed person may be suffering from mental illness or disability.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for information.

Dennis Romero Contributed.