Horizon E175 near Portland on Oct 22nd 2023, credible security threat by jumpseater, tried to shut both engines down
Last Update: October 25, 2023 / 11:16:21 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Oct 22, 2023
Classification
Incident
Airline
Horizon Air
Flight number
QX-2059
Departure
Everett, United States
Destination
San Francisco, United States
Aircraft Registration
N660QX
Aircraft Type
Embraer ERJ-175
ICAO Type Designator
E175
The airline reported: "On Oct. 22, Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 operated by Horizon Air from Everett, WA (PAE) to San Francisco, CA (SFO) reported a credible security threat related to an authorized occupant in the flight deck jump seat. The crew secured the aircraft without incident. Following appropriate FAA procedures and guidance from air traffic control, the flight safely diverted to Portland International Airport. The event is being investigated by law enforcement authorities." The airline subsequently added: "The Horizon Captain and First Officer quickly responded, engine power was not lost, and the crew secured the aircraft without incident." and further stated: "Fortunately some residual fuel remained in the line, and the quick reaction of our crew to reset the handles restored fuel flow and prevented fuel starvation."
Portland's Police arrested a male individual (44), identified as an off-duty Alaska Airlines Pilot, on charges of 83 counts of attempted murder, one count of endangering an aircraft and other charges of reckless endangerment (a total of 167 counts).
The FAA reported a significant security event when a jump seat passenger attempted to disable the aircraft engines at cruise altitude by deploying the engine fire suppression system, the crew was able to subdue the passenger and remove him from the flight deck.
According to information The Aviation Herald received the jumpseat was occupied by a deadheading pilot, who attempted to shut both engines (CF34) down.
A replacement ERJ-175 registration N651QX reached San Francisco with a delay of about 2:45 hours.
The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Portland about 19.5 hours before returning to service.
According to court documents the off duty pilot admitted to police that he pulled both fire handles and stated he had not slept for about 40 hours, felt dehydrated and tired. He had become depressed about 6 months ago, but had not taken any medication, however, had for the first time taken some psychedelic mushrooms. According to testimonies by witnesses and the off duty pilot, everything was okay during the initial stages of the flight, then the off duty pilot said several times he was not feeling okay, threw his headset across the cockpit and subsequently pulled both fire handles down believing he was dreaming and wanted to wake up. The two pilots on duty subdued the off duty pilot, physically engaging with him for about 25-30 seconds before the off duty pilot stopped resisting. About 90 seconds elapsed between the first "I am not okay" and the off duty pilot leaving the cockpit. Flight attendants reported the off duty pilot told them he had just been thrown out of the cockpit and needed to be handcuffed right now or it's going to be bad. Flight attendants did handcuff him. Flight attendants observed him using his mobile phone texting he had just endangered 84 lives including his own. Via his solicitor the off duty pilot pleaded not guilty on all federal charges including 83 counts of attempted murder.
In 2018 Horizon lost one of their Dash 8s after an individual stole and crashed the aircraft, see Crash: Horizon DH8D at Ketron Island on Aug 10th 2018, stolen aircraft crashed into forest.
Aircraft Registration Data
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Oct 22, 2023
Classification
Incident
Airline
Horizon Air
Flight number
QX-2059
Departure
Everett, United States
Destination
San Francisco, United States
Aircraft Registration
N660QX
Aircraft Type
Embraer ERJ-175
ICAO Type Designator
E175
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source
You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.
Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!
Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.
Send tip
Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.
Related articles
Horizon DH8D at Seattle on Apr 25th 2022, flock of birds
A Horizon Air de Havilland Dash 8-400 on behalf of Alaska Air, registration N403QX performing flight AS-2553 from Victoria,BC (Canada) to Seattle,WA…
Horizon DH8D at Portland on Dec 9th 2021, engine shut down in flight
A Horizon Airlines de Havilland Dash 8-400 on behalf of Alaska Airlines, registration N450QX performing flight AS-2232 from Portland,OR to Spokane,WA…
Horizon E175 at Sacramento on Sep 18th 2021, bird strike
A Horizon Embraer ERJ-175 on behalf of Alaska Airlines, registration N645QX performing flight AS-2188 from Sacramento,CA to Portland,OR (USA), was in…
Horizon DH8D near Yakima on May 21st 2021, sparks in galley
A Horizon Air de Havilland Dash 8-400 on behalf of Alaska Airlines, registration N438QX performing flight AS-2256 from Pasco,WA to Seattle,WA (USA),…
Horizon DH8D at Seattle on May 12th 2021, bird strike
A Horizon Air de Havilland Dash 8-400 on behalf of Alaska Airlines, registration N435QX performing flight AS-2296 from Eugene,OR to Seattle,WA (USA),…
Newest articles
Delta B763 at New York on Apr 26th 2024, emergency slide trouble
A Delta Airlines Boeing 767-300, registration N176DN performing flight DL-520 from New York JFK,NY to Los Angeles,CA (USA), was climbing out of JFK's…
UPS B744 at Tokyo on May 6th 2023, hard touchdown on windshear recovery
A UPS United Parcel Service Boeing 747-400, registration N580UP performing flight 5X-109 from Shanghai Pudong (China) to Tokyo Narita (Japan), was on…
Subscribe today
Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.
Pick your plan and subscribePartner
A new way to document and demonstrate airworthiness compliance and aircraft value. Find out more.
ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.
Your regulation partner, specialists in aviation safety and compliance; providing training, auditing, and consultancy services. Find out more.
AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American AirlinesUnited
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways