Alaska Air off-duty pilot tries to shut off engines on flight from Everett | The Seattle Times
The authorized jump seat occupant tried to pull the fire handles, which would have shut off the engines, but was subdued by the 2 pilots and moved to the back of the aircraft. Later update: Off-duty Alaska Air pilot tries to shut off engines on Everett flight, airline says | The Seattle Times
The Captain and First Officer did a fantastic job. While the radio traffic is calm and cool, you can tell the stress this caused – just compare the normal ATC banter that happens after they have it under control. Good job!
It’s not the first time Horizon has had a similar problem: Breaking News: Horizon Mechanic Joy Rides Plane Which Crashes, Committing Suicide – Gronda Morin
And just last week, Alaska/Skywest had another problem during bad weather at Portland and got themselves on converging paths:
I had a fine flight on Alaska in August – yet hours after I departed SNA, on Alaska, another Alaska flight had its left landing gear collapse upon landing at SNA. The collapse was due to a mechanical defect on the Alaska 737.
Alaska / Horizon may have some issues they need to address ASAP.
Related: Skywest Airlines, another regional carrier, which operates flights for both Delta and Alaska, had a similar problem in 2012, when a pilot already on administrative leave, went nuts on the ground. The pilot in that incident crashed the aircraft while taxiing, and then killed himself with a handgun. The pilot was wanted by police on a charge of murder, prior to this incident.
