A student pilot who reportedly tried to enter the cockpit multiple times midflight while traveling from San Diego to Dulles, Virginia on March 3rd has been charged with interference with a flight crew.
Nathan Jones, 19, reportedly was restrained by law enforcement after going to the front of the plane and attempting to open the cockpit door on at least three separate occasions on Alaska Airlines Flight 322, per an affidavit filed by Federal Air Marshal Thomas Pattinson.
When flight attendants asked Jones what he was doing, the defendant reported said he “was testing them,” according to the affidavit.
When the flight landed, Jones consented to a search of his belongings, where authorities found multiple notebooks with writings describing how to operate an aircraft. They also found a student pilot’s license in his wallet.
According to NBC News, Jones’ lawyer has significant concerns about his mental health,, and intends to ask that the court evaluate him for competency to stand trial.
The defense also says that Jones appears to be “experiencing psychosis.”
No one was injured during the flight, which landed safely and without further issue. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.
