A former Delta Airlines pilot, Jonathan J Dunn, has been formally charged for allegedly threatening to shoot his captain during a flight in August 2022. Dunn was indicted in October by a grand jury in Utah for interfering with the crew of a commercial flight. According to court documents seen by CBS, the incident occurred when the captain wanted to divert the flight for a sick passenger.

The inspector general's office at the Department of Transportation, along with the FBI and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is investigating the incident. It is alleged that Dunn "did assault and intimidate a crew member of an aircraft" and "did use a dangerous weapon in assaulting and intimidating the crew member". He reportedly threatened the captain multiple times if the flight was diverted.

Delta Airlines confirmed that Dunn was employed as a first officer when the incident took place. However, they also confirmed that he is no longer employed by the airline. It was revealed that Dunn was authorized to carry a firearm by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) under its Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, which allows qualified pilots and flight crew to act as law enforcement personnel to defend passenger planes against acts of violence. However, he has since been removed from the program.

Interfering with a flight crew is considered a felony crime and carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail. Dunn is due to be arraigned in November, where he will face the charges brought against him. The authorities are taking the incident seriously, aiming to ensure the safety and security of both crew members and passengers.

The case highlights the importance of maintaining a secure and safe environment onboard commercial flights. As investigations continue, the airline industry and relevant agencies will likely review and strengthen security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Title: Former Delta Airlines Pilot Faces Charges for Threatening Captain During Flight