Off duty pilot tried to stop plane engines

[simply1]

Alaska Airlines: Off-duty pilot tried to stop plane engine; plane diverted to PDX

An Alaska Airlines plane made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport after a “credible threat to an authorized occupant” on board.

www.koin.com

Can’t imagine what that cockpit looked like.

 

[mynameisjonas]

Death penalty

 

[Drew0311]

Weird. If he was off duty, why didn’t he just wait until he was on duty and crash the plane. Something short circuit in the dudes head. Hope he got a good beat down

 

[Clonehomer]

So, basically he gained access to the cockpit and pulled the throttle back, or what am I missing?

Dude should definitely be charged, but I just want to know who ****** up to get him access to the cockpit. That’s the missing piece of this story.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

I realize it's statistically safer than driving, but the number of casualties that can be caused by one plane crash (figuring the passengers plus whatever the plane hits) is still scary to think about.

 

[riceville98]

So, basically he gained access to the cockpit and pulled the throttle back, or what am I missing?

Dude should definitely be charged, but I just want to know who ****** up to get him access to the cockpit. That’s the missing piece of this story.

He was an employee of Alaska Airlines so was riding in the jumpseat (the extra seat in the cockpit). Happens frequently on all airlines

 

[coolerifyoudid]

So, basically he gained access to the cockpit and pulled the throttle back, or what am I missing?

Dude should definitely be charged, but I just want to know who ****** up to get him access to the cockpit. That’s the missing piece of this story.

He could have been wearing his uniform and been known by the other employees. He was in the jump seat, so he could have been deadheading and not seen as a threat of any kind. It doesn't really say he forced his way into the cockpit. It would be nice to have a few more details.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

So, basically he gained access to the cockpit and pulled the throttle back, or what am I missing?

Dude should definitely be charged, but I just want to know who ****** up to get him access to the cockpit. That’s the missing piece of this story.

If you have a badge and are on the plane, most airlines will let you ride up there. Also many off-duty pilots will take one of the jumpseats because they got repositioned and that was the next flight out (regardless of airline you work for and which one is flying).

I had a pilot on the jumpseat facing me one time on a 10 hour flight. Took all my legroom.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Death penalty

He's charged with 83 counts of attempted murder. So he won't get the death penalty but his life is over.

 

[SCNCY]

He could have been wearing his uniform and been known by the other employees. He was in the jump seat, so he could have been deadheading and not seen as a threat of any kind. It doesn't really say he forced his way into the cockpit. It would be nice to have a few more details.

What’s a/the jump seat?

 

[Nothingman]

Who here hasn’t played a harmless prank on a coworker?

 

[Clonehomer]

He was an employee of Alaska Airlines so was riding in the jumpseat (the extra seat in the cockpit). Happens frequently on all airlines

OK. When I think jumpseat I was thinking the one by the exit door, not in the cockpit.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

What’s a/the jump seat?

There are multiple on the plane but the one in the cockpit on smaller planes like this folds into one of the walls and allows someone to sit behind the pilots.

 

[wxman1]

There are multiple on the plane but the one in the cockpit on smaller planes like this folds into one of the walls and allows someone to sit behind the pilots.

View attachment 118365

This. It allows for an "extra" person to be on the flight deck for various reasons. Long international flights requiring crew rest the rest pilot will sit there for takeoff and landing before going down to the crew rest area, check airmen will set there for check rides, dead heading crew etc.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Reading more into it. Apparently he tried to pull the engine fire extinguishers, seemingly so the engines wouldn't be able to get restarted if he was successful.

You can also listen to the audio, just before the 11min mark is when it becomes clear - https://archive.liveatc.net/kpdx/KPDX-ZSE-Oct-23-2023-0100Z.mp3

 

[madguy30]

Who here hasn’t played a harmless prank on a coworker?

 

[BryceC]

What’s a/the jump seat?

Watch or read Catch Me If You Can.

 

[simply1]

Well then

Docs: Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot used psychedelic mushrooms before trying to shut off plane engines

New documents shed additional light on the state of mind of an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot that attempted to turn off a plane’s engines mid-flight, causing a flight of people from Everett, Washington to make an emergency landing in Portland.

news.yahoo.com

 

[NWICY]

So, basically he gained access to the cockpit and pulled the throttle back, or what am I missing?

Dude should definitely be charged, but I just want to know who ****** up to get him access to the cockpit. That’s the missing piece of this story.

He is a pilot for the airline, hopped into the buddy seat to catch a lift/crash the plane. Not uncommon from my understanding. (The catch a ride part)

 

[Dr.bannedman]

Luckily the engines didn’t go out. They’d be up there all night