SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – A pilot accused of threatening to shoot a commercial airline captain who tried to divert his flight to get medical treatment for a passenger is scheduled to make his first federal court appearance Thursday. Ta.
Former Delta Airlines pilot Jonathan J. Dunn He was indicted by a grand jury on Oct. 18 and charged with interfering with flight crew during a trip from Atlanta to Salt Lake City in August 2022.
Dunn, who was the co-pilot or co-pilot, threatened to shoot the captain during a heated argument in the cockpit over whether to change course to accommodate a passenger’s medical problem.
The captain offered to divert the plane to Grand Junction, Colorado, if the passenger’s condition worsened, the U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges in court documents. Dunn objected and repeatedly threatened to shoot the captain, calling him “crazy,” according to the documents. Dunn could face up to 20 years in prison.
The 42-year-old pilot from Rapid City, South Dakota, was authorized by the Transportation Security Administration to carry a firearm on board for security purposes. The TSA later revoked that authority, and Delta Airlines said Dunn said, I can’t work for an airline anymore.
The Associated Press sent an email to Dunn’s attorney Thursday seeking comment.
Dan was a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve and was relieved of duty. Refuses vaccination against new coronavirus infection.
___
This article has been edited to correct that Rapid City is in South Dakota, not North Dakota.