Passenger Charged After Attempting to Open Plane Door at 18,000 Feet and Saying, ‘We’re All Going to Die’

Alaska Airlines Passenger Arrested for Attempting to Open Door Mid-Flight

An Alaska Airlines passenger is facing charges after attempting to open an aircraft’s door at 18,000 feet. The male passenger, identified as Kassian William Fredericks, was heard by crew members saying, “The wings have disappeared. We’re all going to die,” according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE. Alaska Airlines has taken swift action by banning the passenger from using their services following the incident.

The unsettling situation unfolded on December 10 during Alaska Airlines Flight 87’s journey from Deadhorse to Anchorage. Witnesses reported seeing Fredericks aggressively attempting to open the rear cabin door after exiting the lavatory. One brave individual managed to intervene by grabbing Fredericks, who had already lifted the arm of the cabin door in an attempt to unlock it, as outlined in the criminal complaint filed by the FBI Anchorage.

Fredericks, who later confessed to feeling like he was overdosing and expressing a desire to call his mother, asked how he could break a window and mentioned needing air. Despite being prevented from opening the door, Fredericks continued to exhibit concerning behaviour, such as repeatedly moving seats, requesting to smoke onboard, and claiming to hear voices. He also made alarming statements about meth coming from the air vents and the wings disappearing while on the flight.

The flight crew, noting Fredericks’ erratic behaviour and potential substance use, took precautions to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members. Despite Fredericks not displaying physical aggression, the crew voiced concerns about the possibility of triggering an emergency slide deployment by tampering with the cabin door. In response, the crew closely monitored Fredericks and heard him utter ominous statements about the impending doom of the flight.

During the flight, the pilot was alerted to the unfolding situation by the cabin crew, who observed Fredericks’ actions and contacted ground support for guidance. Although they contemplated diverting the flight, the decision was made to continue to Anchorage given the proximity and lack of immediate physical threat posed by Fredericks. Upon landing, Fredericks was taken into custody and charged with interfering with flight crew members and attendants.

Following the incident, Fredericks was reported to Providence Hospital where he shared troubling details about his state of mind, including seeing and hearing things and experiencing memory loss. The swift actions taken by Alaska Airlines in response to the incident were aimed at ensuring the safety and security of all passengers on board, with the airline confirming Fredericks’ ban from future flights.

As investigations into the incident continue, it serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining the safety and security protocols implemented onboard aircraft to safeguard passengers and crew. The incident also underscores the need for ongoing mental health support and interventions for individuals experiencing crises, both onboard flights and in everyday life.

The incident involving the Alaska Airlines passenger highlights the potential risks and challenges faced by airlines in ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers amidst unexpected situations. Moving forward, airlines and authorities must remain vigilant and prepared to address similar incidents promptly and effectively to uphold the highest standards of safety and security in air travel.