Alaska Airlines Incident: Passenger Charged After Mid-Flight Door Attempt
An unsettling incident unfolded on December 10 during Alaska Airlines flight 87, which was traveling from Deadhorse, Alaska, to Anchorage. A passenger, Kassian William Fredericks, has been charged in federal court for allegedly attempting to open the plane’s rear cabin door mid-flight, leaving fellow travelers on edge and questioning their safety.
The Disturbing Event
As reported in a detailed affidavit accompanying the criminal complaint, the scenario escalated quickly. A fellow passenger returned from the restroom to witness Fredericks “aggressively trying to open the rear cabin door.” Sensing the gravity of the situation, he intervened, grabbing Fredericks to prevent him from breaching the door. He then called out to other passengers for assistance in restraining Fredericks, highlighting the urgent nature of the situation.
A Struggle for Control
According to the affidavit, Fredericks exhibited astonishing strength. The initial passenger struggled to contain him and needed help from two other male passengers to successfully restrain Fredericks and escort him back to his seat. The physicality of the altercation further underscores how serious the passengers perceived Fredericks’s actions to be.
Fredericks’s Disturbing Statements
Throughout the ordeal, Fredericks reportedly continued to express distress. He desperately asked for a means to contact his mother, mentioning he believed he was overdosing. In a worrying twist, he stated that he needed “air” and was fixated on exiting the plane. His state of mind was further illuminated when he inquired about breaking a window and asked for a cigarette, alarming fellow passengers even more.
Passenger Observations
Before the incident, other passengers had noted Fredericks’s unsettling behavior. Reports indicate he was “shaking a lot” and speaking out loud, causing some passengers to change seats to distance themselves from him due to growing concerns about his mental state. The situations heightened as Fredericks allegedly made alarming declarations, including that “the wings have disappeared” and “we’re all going to die.” Such statements no doubt heightened the anxiety within the cabin, as passengers feared for their safety.
Airline Response
In light of the distressing events, Alaska Airlines took swift action following the incident. A spokesperson for the airline stated that Fredericks has been banned from future flights, acknowledging the professionalism of the crew in managing the situation. They also expressed their apologies to passengers who experienced fear or concern during the flight, reaffirming their commitment to passenger safety.
Post-Flight Developments
After the plane successfully landed at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Fredericks was promptly escorted for medical assessment. This step reveals the airline’s responsibility not only for passenger safety but also for the well-being of the individual involved in such disturbances.
Such incidents not only raise questions about safety protocols during flights but also highlight the importance of mental health awareness in high-stress situations. While Fredericks has been charged with interference with flight crew, his attorney emphasized the legal principle that he is “presumed innocent, like any person accused of a crime,” a reminder that there are often more layers to such incidents than initially meet the eye.