An Alaska Airlines passenger, Kassian William Fredericks, was federally indicted after allegedly attempting to open a rear cabin door on Flight 87 from Deadhorse to Anchorage on Dec. 10. Fellow travelers say they restrained him after seeing him move the door arm and act erratically, reportedly claiming he was overdosing. Passengers also reported alarming statements such as "The wings have disappeared" and "We’re all going to die." Fredericks has been banned from the airline and was taken for a medical evaluation after landing.
Passenger Indicted After Alleged Attempt To Open Plane Door Mid‑Flight on Alaska Airlines
Boeing 737-790 aircraft belonging to Alaska Airlines is seen flying at Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage, Ala., in 2024. (Hasan Akbas / Anadolu via Getty Images)
An Alaska Airlines passenger, Kassian William Fredericks, was federally indicted after authorities say he tried to open a rear cabin door while the aircraft was in flight, an episode that alarmed fellow travelers and prompted a medical evaluation after landing.
What Happened
The incident occurred Dec. 10 aboard Flight 87 en route from Deadhorse, Alaska, to Anchorage. According to a criminal affidavit, a passenger leaving the lavatory saw Fredericks "aggressively trying to open the rear cabin door" and said he had moved the door arm. Other passengers intervened to stop and restrain him.
Passenger Accounts
Witnesses told investigators that it took three men to restrain Fredericks and keep him seated. The affidavit records that Fredericks repeatedly attempted to get up and kept saying he needed to call his mother and that he thought he was overdosing. When asked why he tried to open the door, he allegedly said he needed "air and to get out of here."
One passenger described Fredericks as "so strong [that] it took him and the other two male passengers to restrain him and sit him down."
Passengers also reported disturbing statements attributed to Fredericks, including "The wings have disappeared" and "We’re all going to die." Two travelers said they changed seats because they felt alarmed by his behavior.
Aftermath and Response
Federal prosecutors filed an indictment Tuesday charging Fredericks with one count of interference with the flight crew. His attorney reiterated that he "is presumed innocent, like any person accused of a crime." After the plane landed at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Fredericks was taken to a hospital for a medical assessment.
Alaska Airlines said in an emailed statement that Fredericks "has been banned from flying with us." The carrier thanked its crew for their professionalism and apologized to guests for any concern caused.
Source
This report is based on court filings, passenger accounts and an Alaska Airlines statement; originally published on NBCNews.com.
