Jonathan J. Dunn, a former first officer of a commercial airline, stands accused of threatening his Captain with a firearm during a disagreement over a flight diversion following a sudden medical event involving a passenger. The alleged incident was reported by the US Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General among sources and court documents.
A Utah grand jury, on October 18, hit Dunn with the charge of interference with a flight crew, a charge which traces back to a disturbing incident that transpired in August 2022.
Dunn, armed with what the documents refer to as a dangerous weapon, is said to have assaulted and intimidated a crew member, thereby hindering the crew member’s ability to execute their duties. This aggressive act reportedly came about following a disagreement concerning a potential flight diversion brought about by a passenger’s health emergency
Although the specific airline involved in the incident was not disclosed in the Inspector General’s statement, Delta Airlines came forward with a statement to CNN declaring that the implicated first officer was no longer part of their staff.
Choosing to respect the ongoing investigation into this incident, Delta Airlines has decided to keep their comments reserved. Meanwhile, in addressing queries about Dunn’s pilot license, the Federal Aviation Administration informed CNN that Dunn’s current FAA medical certificate — a mandatory component for any flying activities — was no longer valid.
Dunn had received authorization to carry a firearm aboard the plane due to his part in the Federal Flight Deck Officer program overseen by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as disclosed by the Inspector General’s office. The TSA confirmed Dunn’s removal from the program but refrained from detailing the exact timing of this action.
The program, established in response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, focuses on training and arming airline pilots to effectively manage in-flight attacks, such as hijacking attempts. After successful completion, the pilot receives TSA-approved firearms and federal flight deck officer credentials, effectively becoming a federal law enforcement officer.
Only pilots, flight engineers, and flight navigators that meet certain standing requirements are admissible to the program, which also necessitates the passing of a bi-annual firearms requalification, as stated by the TSA.
The FBI and the FAA, in conjunction with the Office of Inspector General, are currently undertaking an investigative approach to scrutinize the mid-flight incident.
Dunn’s arraignment is thus slated for November 16, as stated by available online court records. As of now, any additional comments on the case remain tightly held, but efforts to reach the U.S Attorney for the District of Utah office are ongoing.
