A 19-year-old student was on an Alaska Airlines flight from California to Virginia last week and allegedly tried to enter the plane’s cockpit several times, authorities said.
According to a report by Federal Air Marshal Thomas Pattinson, passenger Nathan Jones tried to access the cockpit of Alaska Airlines Flight 322 three times while the plane was flying on March 3. affidavit Pattinson stated that Jones “interfered and intimidated flight crew members and attendants.”
During the flight from San Diego to Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport, Jones had seat 6E, but continued to leave his seat to try to open the cockpit door.
When asked by flight attendants why he was trying to enter the cockpit, Jones claimed he was “testing them.”
Following his third attempt, off-duty law enforcement officers were asked for assistance and managed to restrain Jones using plastic flex handcuffs. They then sat on either side of Jones for the rest of the flight.
The flight deck was secured while flight attendants used a manned beverage cart as a barrier to the cockpit.
Upon landing, Jones agreed to a search of his belongings, which revealed “multiple notebooks with writings describing how to operate an aircraft, including take-off, in-air, and landing techniques,” authorities said. Additionally, a student-level pilot license was found in his wallet.
Authorities at the Washington airport contacted the FBI, who helped in apprehending Jones following the flight's arrival.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed CBS News that Jones was charged with interfering with flight crew members, an offense that can lead to a maximum
20-year prison sentence Jones has not publicly commented on the incident, but his family, represented by their lawyers, expressed concerns about his mental health and overall well-being to CBS..
Jones’ attorney stated, “The charges against Mr. Jones are surprising to his mother and family. The allegations are completely different from the life he has led. He is a young man without any history of criminal behavior or violence.”
The statement concludes, “At this point, we are extremely concerned about his mental health and are working to address his needs. We are confident that it will become clear that Mr. Jones never intended to harm or threaten anyone.”
Jones is scheduled to appear in court on March 18, and his lawyer informed NBC News that he plans to have Jones
psychologically evaluated regarding his ability to stand trial. At the Virginia jail where Jones is being held, a licensed clinical social worker stated that he is under suicide watch but requires hospital-level care for “his altered mental status that seems to be linked to psychiatric illness.”
Nathan Jones made three attempts to access the cockpit of Alaska Airlines Flight 322 while the plane was airborne, according to an affidavit.
