Three passengers who were aboard an Alaska Airlines jet when an off-duty pilot in the cockpit “jump seat” allegedly tried to shut down the plane’s engine sued the Seattle-based airline on Thursday, accusing it of breaching its duty to ensure flight safety.
The lawsuit, which also names Horizon Air as a defendant, stems from an in-flight emergency declared by the crew of Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 in the Pacific Northwest while the plane was en route from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, on Oct. 22. .
Alaska Airlines flights are operated by a regional subsidiary of the Horizon Air group.
The lawsuit comes from three passengers aboard an Alaska Airlines jet, accusing it of breaching its duty to ensure flight safety.Courtesy of Aubrey Gavello
The suit was filed in Washington state court as a proposed class action complaint on behalf of all those who flew as passengers on the plane.
Alaska Airlines and law firm The Stritmatter Firm did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Passengers in the lawsuit have requested a public explanation from Alaska Air and Horizon Air about why the pilot was not subject to pre-flight security checks.
Alaska Airlines and law firm The Stritmatter Firm did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Getty Images Joseph Emerson appears in Multnomah County court in Portland, Oregon, on Oct. 24. 2023. via REUTERS
The lawsuit seeks special and general damages in amounts to be proven at trial, including ticket fees, damages for psychological injury, physical pain and suffering among others.
The suit also seeks injunctive relief requiring Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air to conduct background checks on all prospective flight crew and skip-seat passengers, including their “mental health status.”
Joseph David Emerson was an Alaska Airlines pilot who rode as an employee passenger standing by in the cockpit’s “jump seat.”
Passengers are seeking answers from Alaska Air and Horizon Air about why Joseph Emerson was not subjected to pre-flight security checks.Joseph Emerson/Facebook
According to court documents, Emerson told police he had been struggling with depression for the past six months and had taken a “magic mushroom” about 48 hours before boarding the plane.
Emerson was eventually restrained by members of the cabin crew and was arrested in Portland, Oregon, where the flight was diverted and landed safely.
The 44-year-old was charged with 83 counts of attempted murder – one for each person on the plane other than himself – and one count of endangering an aircraft.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
