Airline co-pilot threatens to shoot pilot over medical emergency diversion, feds say

A co-pilot is accused of threatening to shoot an airline pilot if a flight diverted for a medical emergency, federal officials reported.

Jonathan J. Dunn, of California, was indicted Oct. 18 by a grand jury in Utah on a charge of interfering with the crew of a commercial airline flight, the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General said in a news release.

The incident took place on an Aug. 22, 2022, flight in which Dunn served as first officer, the agency said. It did not provide the origin or destination of the flight.

“After a disagreement about a potential flight diversion due to a passenger medical event, Dunn told the captain they would be shot multiple times if the captain diverted the flight,” federal officials said.

Dunn was authorized to carry a firearm on board as part of a federal Transportation Security Administration program arming flight crews, officials said.

Federal officials did not identify the airline involved, but Delta Air Lines confirmed Dunn was a former employee.

“Out of respect for the ongoing aviation authority investigation of this incident, Delta will refrain from commenting on this matter but will confirm that this First Officer is no longer employed at Delta,” the airline said in an email statement to McClatchy News.

This story was originally published November 1, 2023 at 12:37 PM with the headline "Airline co-pilot threatens to shoot pilot over medical emergency diversion, feds say."