Alaska Airlines charged a passenger after he allegedly tried to open the plane’s door mid-flight, triggering fear among other travelers. The incident occurred on December 10, during flight 87, traveling from Deadhorse, Alaska, to Anchorage.
Passenger Charged After Attempt to Open Plane Door
Kassian William Fredericks now faces one charge of interfering with the flight crew for allegedly attempting to open the rear cabin door mid-flight. The federal indictment was filed, but his attorney has stated that Fredericks is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
A passenger returning from the bathroom saw Fredericks trying to open the rear cabin door. The witness immediately grabbed Fredericks to stop him. Other passengers rushed to help, restraining Fredericks until he sat down.
Struggle to Restrain Fredericks
Fredericks resisted when passengers tried to hold him down. His strength made it difficult for the three men to subdue him. During the incident, Fredericks repeatedly claimed he needed to call his mother and said he was overdosing. When asked why he tried to open the door, he answered, “I need air and to get out of here.”
Before the incident, Fredericks had been shaking and speaking aloud, which caused some passengers to move to different seats to avoid him.
Disturbing Statements and Behavior
Witnesses reported Fredericks saying alarming things like, “The wings have disappeared” and “We’re all going to die.” His strange behavior and comments left passengers feeling uneasy and unsafe.
Once the plane landed at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, authorities took Fredericks for a medical evaluation. Alaska Airlines confirmed that Fredericks has been banned from flying with the airline.
Alaska Airlines Responds to the Incident
Alaska Airlines praised its crew for managing the situation professionally. A spokesperson said, “We thank our crew for their professionalism in handling this situation, and we apologize to our guests for any concern this incident caused.”
This event highlights the importance of addressing disruptive behavior quickly and ensuring passenger safety during flights.
