The midflight breakdown of a JetBlue pilot has sparked concerns about psychological screening for flight crews.
Capt. Clayton Osbon’s erratic behavior prompted Flight 191 from New York to Las Vegas to make an unscheduled landing in Amarillo, Texas, on Tuesday after crew and passengers intervened and subdued the 49-year-old pilot.
Osbon “yelled jumbled comments about Jesus, September 11th, Iraq, Iran,and terrorists,” according to a federal criminal complaint filed against Osbon. One passenger quoted Osbon as saying, “Pray f—— now for Jesus Christ,” the complaint said.
“It just seemed like something triggered him to go off the wall. He would be calm one minute and then just all of a sudden turn,” said passenger Jason Levin.