JetBlue captain goes berserk on flight, subdued by passengers

[News_Editor]

JetBlue captain goes berserk on flight, subdued by passengers

2012-03-29 00:10:34 GMT+7 (ICT)

AMARILLO, TEXAS (BNO NEWS) -- A JetBlue captain was locked out of his plane's cockpit on Tuesday after he apparently suffered a mental breakdown during the flight, forcing the co-pilot to take over command as passengers wrestled the captain to the ground, officials and passengers said.

The incident happened aboard JetBlue flight 191 which departed New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport at approximately 7:28 a.m. ET on Tuesday on a scheduled flight to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. The aircraft was carrying 135 passengers and six crew members, including one who was off-duty.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the co-pilot became concerned after the captain exhibited 'erratic behavior' during the flight. "The captain had exited the cockpit during the flight, after which the co-pilot locked the door," the FAA said in a statement. "When the captain attempted to enter the locked cockpit, he was subdued by passengers."

Passengers told media outlets that the captain cursed at passengers and mentioned countries such as Israel, Iran and Iraq. As he attempted to get back into the cockpit, he also screamed to immediately land the plane, claiming that al-Qaeda had planted a bomb on board the aircraft.

"The pilot ran to the cockpit door, began banging on it and said something to the effect of, 'We've gotta pull the throttle back. We've gotta get this plane down,'" passenger Laurie Dhue told CNN. "At that point, the two flight attendants tried to subdue him, and then seemingly out of nowhere, about six or seven large guys stormed to the front of the plane and wrestled the captain of the plane down to the ground and had him subdued in a matter of moments. It was really like something out of a movie."

After the passengers subdued the captain, who was identified as Clayton Osbon, the co-pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted to Amarillo Rick Husband International Airport in Texas. "Another Captain, traveling off duty, entered the flight deck prior to landing at Amarillo, and took over the duties of the ill crewmember once on the ground," a JetBlue spokesperson said in a statement.

The aircraft landed in Amarillo at approximately 10:11 a.m. CT, after which Osbon was removed from the aircraft and taken by ambulance to a local medical facility. JetBlue on Wednesday said Osbon, who has worked for the airline for twelve years, has been suspended pending further investigation.

The medical condition of the captain was not immediately known, but CBS News quoted an unidentified source as saying that Osbon is undergoing 2 to 3 days of psychiatric evaluation at an Amarillo hospital. "Out of respect for the individual, we won't be reporting on his situation," airline spokeswoman Jenny Dervin said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the FAA, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and local law enforcement are investigating the incident. If Osbon is charged, it would be the first time that a captain has ever been charged with interfering with his own flight.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-03-29

[submaniac]

Jet Blue=budget airlines = scary hiring standards.

[Steely Dan]

Passengers told media outlets that the captain cursed at passengers and mentioned countries such as Israel, Iran and Iraq. As he attempted to get back into the cockpit, he also screamed to immediately land the plane, claiming that al-Qaeda had planted a bomb on board the aircraft.

Does anyone get the impression there is more to this story than written in the OP.

[GentlemanJim]

Jet Blue=budget airlines = scary hiring standards.

No they are not scary hiring standards you are scare mongering!

A nervous breakdown can happen to anyone for a number of reasons and it would be almost impossible to identify such a problem occurring in the future at any form of selection process. Thank God the co pilot had the monumental courage and kuhoonas to lock the cockpit door. Do you have any idea how much of a massive decision it is to lock the Captain out of the cockpit! That is a lost job and occupation for life if you are wrong. The co-pilot showed incredible courage and you are talking of scary hiring standards! I would place him amongst the best, and the passengers are very very lucky he was up front.

[geriatrickid]

Jet Blue=budget airlines = scary hiring standards.

Not fair. Jet Blue is highly rated and regarded in the industry. This is not an airline that cuts corners.

[GentlemanJim]

Just to avoid wild speculation.

https://www.youtube....feature=related

[macksview]

well done to the co-pilot, and other staff, people do have nervous breakdowns at all sorts of times, there is nothing in the mental health mannual, which says have one after you land the aircraft.

reaction to certain medication, can cause unusual behaviour in people when in the pressurised conditions of an aircraft.

Not being an american, so only speaking from what i have read before, jet blue seems to quite a good airline.

Edited March 29, 2012 by macksview

[cloudhopper]

Passengers told media outlets that the captain cursed at passengers and mentioned countries such as Israel, Iran and Iraq. As he attempted to get back into the cockpit, he also screamed to immediately land the plane, claiming that al-Qaeda had planted a bomb on board the aircraft.

Does anyone get the impression there is more to this story than written in the OP.

I get the impression there is less. Acute mental illness can strike anyone without warning for a variety of reasons. I hope he can get some successful treatment and I suspect the # 2 will be wearing 4 stripes pretty soon.

[geriatrickid]

Keep in mind that it is difficult to terminate someone that has a mental illness. If the consulting health practitioner clears the person, then the person keeps his/her job. Same in the EU.

[madjbs]

Even if he managed to keep his job somehow, there is no way he would be allowed to fly again.

Edited March 29, 2012 by madjbs

[GentlemanJim]

Keep in mind that it is difficult to terminate someone that has a mental illness. If the consulting health practitioner clears the person, then the person keeps his/her job. Same in the EU.

Nope, not in the flying world.

[Scott]

There are a host of reasons that could cause such a mental meltdown. It could be due to a long-term psychiatric problem in which case being a pilot might not be in anyone's best interest. It could be due to a situational problem causing excessive stress, such as a death, divorce or other problems. It could also be due to a physical problem.

[mca]

^ Fully agree. My dad once went to see his accountant. Secretary escorted my dad into the bloke's office. Guy was under the table rocking backwards and forward sobbing. Complete breakdown due to his workload.

In this case I'm certainly glad I wasn't on that flight. I'm not the best flier by any stretch of the imagination. Even the slightest turbulence has me gripping the armrests like a set of pliers. If I saw the guy who I considered the most stable chap on the aircraft going bonkers forget helping to wrestle him to the ground. I'd be downing the miniature vodkas as if they were reintroducing prohibition in the next 10 minutes. Most probably accompanied by me crying like a girl....

Edited March 29, 2012 by mca

[flying]

Didn't an airline stewardess recently go nuts too?

http://blogs.dallaso...flight_sent.php

Then there was also another Jet Blue male steward who went nuts ...grabbed two cans of beer & pulled the escape lever & slide down the chute after a rant...luckily they were on the runway Maybe the air con is gassing on Jet Blue?

http://www.dailymail...-passenger.html

Edited March 30, 2012 by flying

[GentlemanJim]

Didn't an airline stewardess recently go nuts too?

http://blogs.dallaso...flight_sent.php

Then there was also another Jet Blue male steward who went nuts ...grabbed two cans of beer & pulled the escape lever & slide down the chute after a rant...luckily they were on the runway Maybe the air con is gassing on Jet Blue?

http://www.dailymail...-passenger.html

You may be relieved to know that it is not possible to jettison an escape door or main door during flight

[mca]

You may be relieved to know that it is not possible to jettison an escape door or main door during flight

Phew. Thank God for that!

The first time I flew and in my extreme ignorance I didn't realise that the wings were supposed to flex a little. We went through a bit of turbulence and I sat there looking out of the window transfixed in complete and utter terror convinced they were about to fall off.

[GentlemanJim]

You may be relieved to know that it is not possible to jettison an escape door or main door during flight

Phew. Thank God for that!

The first time I flew and in my extreme ignorance I didn't realise that the wings were supposed to flex a little. We went through a bit of turbulence and I sat there looking out of the window transfixed in complete and utter terror convinced they were about to fall off.

Yeah the wings can look a bit bendy. Remember that on the ground the fuselage carries the entire weight of the wings, but in the air the wings carry the weight of everything. Statistically flying is the safest form of transport in the world today. You have more chance of being in an accident traveling to the airport to catch your flight than you ever will of being involved in an air accident. So sit back, recline have a G&T and watch a good movie