Pilot Arrested for Allegedly Threatening Captain Amid Attempted Flight Diversion for Medical Emergency, Authorities Report
A commercial airline pilot is indicted for allegedly threatening to shoot the captain if the flight was diverted for a passenger's medical emergency, according to the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General
According to court documents and a statement from the US Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, a pilot carrying a weapon on a commercial airliner allegedly threatened to shoot the captain if the flight was diverted due to a passenger's medical emergency. Jonathan J. Dunn, the pilot, was indicted by a grand jury in Utah on October 18, 2022, and has been charged with interference with a flight crew.
According to the documents, Dunn, the first officer of the crew, utilized a perilous weapon to both attack and intimidate a crew member. This action disrupted the crew member's capacity to fulfill their responsibilities. The Office of Inspector General reported that Dunn threatened the captain, mentioning their intent to shoot them multiple times, following a dispute regarding the potential diversion of a flight for a passenger's medical emergency.
An Alaska airlines plane seen at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on January 11, 2023. (Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)
Daniel Slim/AFP/Getty Images
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The inspector general's statement did not mention the airline operating the flight. However, Delta informed CNN that "The first officer is no longer employed by Delta." Delta further stated, "In consideration of the ongoing investigation by the aviation authority, we will abstain from making any comments regarding this issue."
The Inspector General’s office stated that Dunn was authorized to have a firearm on the plane under the Federal Flight Deck Officer program by the Transportation Security Administration.
The TSA confirmed that Dunn has been disqualified from the program, without specifying the exact date of his removal.
The Federal Flight Deck Officer program was established after the September 11, 2001, attacks. It aims to train and equip pilots to effectively respond to in-flight threats, including hijacking attempts.
According to the Transportation Security Administration, once the pilot successfully completes the program, they are granted federal law enforcement officer status. They are also provided with a TSA-approved firearm and federal flight deck officer credentials.
According to the agency, pilots, flight engineers, and flight navigators who meet specific criteria are eligible for the program. The TSA stated that participants in the program must also successfully complete a bi-annual firearms requalification.
The Office of Inspector General, in collaboration with the FBI and Federal Aviation Administration, is currently conducting an investigation into the in-flight incident.
According to online court records, Dunn is set to be arraigned on November 16.
CNN has reached out to the US Attorney for the District of Utah office for comment.
CNNs Lauren Mascarenhas, Pete Muntean and Gregory Wallace contributed to this report.
