Passengers File Lawsuit Against Alaska Airlines Over Off-Duty Pilot's Engine Shutdown
Passengers who were on an Alaska Airlines flight in which an off-duty pilot allegedly activated the emergency engine shutdown system are suing the airline for breaching passenger safety. The class action lawsuit claims emotional distress and seeks a public explanation on pre-flight security screenings to prevent future sabotage. The off-duty pilot, who was charged with 83 counts of attempted murder, pleaded not guilty and cited sleeplessness, depression, and drug use as factors. The plaintiffs argue that proper checks would have prevented the incident and that luck prevented a mass disaster. Alaska Airlines has not yet commented on the lawsuit.