Delta pilot indicted after he threatened to shoot co-pilot 'multiple times' if flight was diverted

A pilot in California has reportedly been indicted after threatening to shoot the captain of a plane that he was co-piloting.

The pilot, Jonathan J. Dunn, was indicted by a grand jury in Utah on October 18 over allegedly threatening to shoot the captain if the plane was diverted after a passenger experienced a medical emergency, per KTVU.

The alleged incident took place on August 22, 2022, while Dunn was employed by Delta Airlines as a first cfficer. He was, at the time, authorized to carry a firearm through TSA's Federal Flight Deck Officer program. The program was introduced after 9/11 to protect the cockpit from potential hijackers or intruders.

Dunn was indicted after disrupting the crew of a commercial airline flight by "using a dangerous weapon to assault and intimidate the Captain," according to the report.

Dunn's arraignment was reportedly delayed due to his employment with the U.S. military as an Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

The TSA stated earlier this month that Dunn had "immediately" been removed from the program "upon learning of his actions, and took away his equipment." TSA stated that pilots must be vetted and attend training at a federal law enforcement center in New Mexico in order to become a flight deck officer.

Those who apply must be U.S. citizens, carry a current pilot's license, attend a one-week training course, and regularly pass a firearms test, according to the Associated Press. Pilots who successfully complete the training and necessary prerequisites are deputized as federal law enforcement officers and provided with a firearm approved by the TSA.

Fox Business reported that Delta had addressed the issue, releasing a statement that said, "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."

To interfere with a flight crew in flight is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Court records indicate that Dunn is set to be arraigned on November 16 in U.S. district court in Salt Lake City.

The Air Force has barred Dunn from accessing "sensitive information" due to the nature of the incident.

The U.S. Attorney's Office did not comment beyond the information provided in the indictment.

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