Captain goes berserk on Jet Blue - JetPhotos.Net Forums

mawheatley · 03-27-2012, 07:45 PM

JetBlue Airways said in a statement that the captain of Flight 191 from New York had a "medical situation" and that the pilot in command of the aircraft elected to land in Amarillo about 10 a.m.

Heidi Karg, a passenger on the flight, told CNN that she heard a lot of commotion. She said a man was trying to get into the cockpit, shouting "I need the code, gimme the code, I need to get in there." The pilot urged for someone to restrain him, she said.

"We heard the word 'bomb,'" Karg said. "We didn't know exactly what was going on."

Karg said she thought the man was the captain of the flight but that she wasn't certain. Some male passengers wrestled him to the ground.
An off-duty captain who just happened to be a passenger on the flight went to the flight deck and took over the duties of the ill captain "once on the ground," the airline said in a statement. It didn't elaborate.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...225bcb708314c0

mawheatley · 03-27-2012, 07:49 PM

Just noticed something - it's that flight number again!! Thankfully this one was a much happier outcome, but this was Jet Blue 191. Remember DL191, AA191 and Comair 191?

brianw999 · 03-27-2012, 08:43 PM

...and the transposition of the numbers to 911 (US emergency number) or 9/11 (as if we need reminding.)

Deadstick · 03-27-2012, 09:20 PM

And.........191 is the same backwards and forwards!

mawheatley · 03-27-2012, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deadstick

And.........191 is the same backwards and forwards!

Yeah! Like a palindrome!

Evan · 03-27-2012, 11:24 PM

Can the F/O change the door code in flight?

What is it with Jet Blue and crew meltdowns?

Thank god for the F/O. I hope this ends any further talk about single pilot operations.

B757300 · 03-27-2012, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evan

Can the F/O change the door code in flight?

I would imagine the doors have a physical lock (like a sliding bolt) that cannot be opened from the cabin so any kind of combination/key would be worthless.

DJR107 · 03-28-2012, 12:18 AM

This link has some in flight video taken by a passenger on the flight. Two minutes of some yelling and confusion, none of the action.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/03/27...g-report-says/

Alessandro · 03-28-2012, 01:15 AM

My guess, either braintumor or being spiked with a syntetic drug like XTC.

Fear_of_Flying · 03-28-2012, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alessandro

My guess, either braintumor or being spiked with a syntetic drug like XTC.

It sounds to me like some sort of a psychotic episode, maybe - but not necessarily - triggered by substance use (such as a prescription medication). If that was the case, I would be surprised if at least someone close to him wasn't aware of some possible concerns leading up to this. Unfortunately, we as a society don't like to meet those types of issues head-on. Some people will go to the doctor every time they have a common cold, but will sweep anything that even hints at a mental condition under the rug for as long as possible....

B757300 · 03-28-2012, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alessandro

My guess, either braintumor or being spiked with a syntetic drug like XTC.

Other reports say the pilot is a veteran and might be suffering from PTSD.

Evan · 03-28-2012, 08:10 AM

Apparently, they can change the lock code in-flight:

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY Times

The captain tried to re-enter the locked cockpit, but his security code appeared to have changed, and he was seen banging on the door and could be heard demanding to be let back inside

MCM · 03-28-2012, 09:05 AM

Evan,

I'm not going to go into details obviously, but the system is designed such that even if someone (say a bad person) got hold of the code, they would not be able to gain access. That, apparently, includes psychotic Captains.

brianw999 · 03-28-2012, 09:30 AM

From these and other descriptions of his appearance and actions I would go for a PTSD episode initially with a possible intra-cranial bleed as another option.

Jingogunner · 03-28-2012, 10:09 AM

If we look at what he is reported as saying, it seems he was unreasonably focused on his fear of some kind of terror attack. Without details about his personal history - including medical, domestic and professional, in the months before this incident, we cannot make even a sensible guess as to causes underlying this gentleman's panicked behaviour. If there was a physical cause as posited by Mr BrianW999, then fear of a terror incident would nevertheless be very salient - many professionals have to live with this reality, that terror is lurking however statistically slight the danger.

We can look at what appear to be the facts and it appears he was extremely frightened.

Gabriel · 03-28-2012, 11:55 AM

I'm curious about how did the captain get off the cockpit in the first place.

I mean, evidently, the FO was aware of the captains condition as to decide to lock the cockpit once he got out. Did the FO "lead" the captain outside with a story (like "It looks there is some struggle out there, why you don't go see what's up and I'll cover the cockpit"), or did he just used an opportunity where, by chance, the captain decided to go to the loo?

Evan · 03-28-2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabriel

I'm curious about how did the captain get off the cockpit in the first place.

I mean, evidently, the FO was aware of the captains condition as to decide to lock the cockpit once he got out. Did the FO "lead" the captain outside with a story (like "It looks there is some struggle out there, why you don't go see what's up and I'll cover the cockpit"), or did he just used an opportunity where, by chance, the captain decided to go to the loo?

Maybe he told him there was a terrorist with a bomb out there, and to go scream at him.

mawheatley · 03-28-2012, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evan

Maybe he told him there was a terrorist with a bomb out there, and to go scream at him.

Evan - that's just not right.

Evan · 03-28-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mawheatley

Evan - that's just not right.

Yes, I apologize. The latest reports indicate that he never said anything about bombs or terrorists. I really feel bad for the guy, and I hope he gets the help he needs and can get back in the saddle some day. It's a tragic thing to see someone break down like that. It can happen to anyone.

BTW: weirdly, it turns out I've worked (and flown) quite a bit with one of the guys who restrained the pilot. He's very level-headed under pressure, so it doesn't surprise me. Kudos to him.

Alessandro · 03-28-2012, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabriel

I'm curious about how did the captain get off the cockpit in the first place.

I mean, evidently, the FO was aware of the captains condition as to decide to lock the cockpit once he got out. Did the FO "lead" the captain outside with a story (like "It looks there is some struggle out there, why you don't go see what's up and I'll cover the cockpit"), or did he just used an opportunity where, by chance, the captain decided to go to the loo?

From what I read, the captain left the cockpit volunteerily and the F/O then locked the door.