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Alaska Airlines Flight Incident: Student Pilot Attempts to Enter Cockpit
A student pilot on board an Alaska Airlines flight from San Diego, California, to Washington, D.C. caused chaos when he allegedly attempted to rush the aircraft’s flight deck multiple times during the five-hour journey.
Details of the Incident
Nathan Jones, the student pilot in question, told flight attendants that he was “testing them,” according to a criminal complaint obtained by The Daily Beast. Jones faces charges of interference with flight crew members, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
On March 3, Jones took his assigned seat—6A—aboard Alaska flight 322. He made three separate attempts to reach the front of the plane and open the cockpit door before off-duty law enforcement officers intervened, restraining Jones with flexcuffs for the remainder of the flight.
Lockdown of the Cockpit
Following Jones’ disruptive behaviour, the cockpit was locked down for the remainder of the flight. Flight attendants had to reorganize their duties to ensure the safety and security of passengers. They even used a beverage cart as a barrier to block the cockpit entrance.
Discovery of Suspicious Items
Upon landing at Washington Dulles International Airport, law enforcement officers discovered multiple notebooks in Jones’ possession containing writings on aircraft operation techniques, including take-off, in-air, and landing procedures. Jones was found to have his student pilot’s license in his wallet.
Previous Incidents
This incident is not the first to unsettle Alaska Airlines passengers. In October, an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot attempted to shut down the aircraft’s engines mid-flight. Another passenger on an Alaska Airlines flight had to be duct-taped to his seat after attempting to open an exit door.
FAA Reports
The Federal Aviation Administration has received 336 reports of unruly passengers on commercial aircraft in 2024. This marks a decrease from previous years, with 2,075 cases in 2023 and 2,455 in 2022.
Jones’ attorney, Robert Lee Jenkins, Jr., has yet to comment on the incident. Alaska Airlines has also remained silent on the matter. Jones is currently detained for a mental health evaluation and is scheduled to appear in court on March 18.
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