An off-duty pilot on an Alaska Airlines flight tried to take control of the aircraft, according to reports.
The plane was flying from Seattle to San Francisco on Sunday, before being diverted to Portland, the airline told CNN.
The unnamed passenger was riding in the jump seat in the cockpit of the plane and tried to turn off the englines mid-flight. The plane diverted to Portland International Airport due to “a credible security threat related to an authorized occupant in the flight deck jump seat,” as Alaska Airlines put it.
The off-duty pilot was then arrested by the Port of Portland Police Department, a source told CNN.
“We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit, and he doesn’t sound like he’s causing any issues in the back right now,” the plane’s pilot told Seattle-area air traffic controllers in audio recorded by LiveATC.net. “I think he’s subdued. Other than that, we want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and are parked.”
The Seattle Timesreported that the plane, an Embraer E-175 regional jet, had taken off from Paine Field airport carrying 80 passengers.
“Following appropriate FAA procedures and guidance from air traffic control, the flight safely diverted to Portland International Airport,” the airline told CNN. “The event is being investigated by law enforcement authorities.”
The Independent has reached out to the airline for comment.
