In a shocking incident, an off-duty pilot from Alaska Airlines is facing charges of over 80 counts of attempted murder. The charges stem from his alleged attempt to shut off the plane’s engines during a flight on Sunday, forcing the aircraft to divert to Portland.
The flight, known as Flight 2059, had taken off from Everett, Washington, with its destination set for San Francisco. Alaska Airlines clarified that it was operated by their subsidiary, Horizon Air. The diversion was prompted by a credible security threat connected to an individual occupying the flight deck jump seat.
The airline reported that the person occupying the jump seat made an unsuccessful attempt to disrupt the aircraft’s engine operations. However, the quick response of the Horizon Air Captain and First Officer ensured that engine power was maintained, and the crew successfully secured the aircraft without further incident.