Alaska Airlines flight had to divert to Portland after the pilot sitting in the jumpseat inside the cockpit tried to reach both Engine Fire handles.
The Embraer 170-200LR (reg. N660QX) was cruising at 31,000 ft out of Seattle when the incident occurred on 22 October 2023.
The flight #AS2059 was heading to to San Francisco when a man sitting in the jumpseat inside the cockpit tried to reach both Engine Fire handles on the overhead panel.
This action would cause both engines to stop receiving fuel and shut down.
The guy was subdued and moved out of the cockpit to the back of the plane.
The crew requested diversion to Portland where the aircraft landed safely about one hour after take off.
Pilots asked for law enforcement to meet the aircraft as soon as it is on the ground.
UPDATE #1 The FAA is supporting law enforcement investigations into “Sunday evening’s incident aboard a Horizon Air flight”.
UPDATE #2 The off duty pilot has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder and endangering an airplane after threats made Sunday, according to the Port of Portland.