Attorneys defending two commercial airline pilots recently went head to head over opposing views of a fight between their clients. The altercation occurred when the co-pilot allegedly threatened to shoot the captain. All for suggesting they divert the flight for a passenger’s medical emergency.
The co-pilot is Former Delta Air Lines pilot Jonathan J. Dunn, 42. His first federal court appearance was on Thursday, January 4, after a grand jury indicted him on October 18, 2023. He is facing charges of interfering with a flight crew.
John W. Huber, once famed as Utah’s top federal prosecutor, is the man defending him in court. Huber tried to characterize the altercation as “a misunderstanding.” But prosecutors are not having it and have described it as a “grave offense.”
The argument between the airline pilots erupted in the cockpit of a 2022 flight from Atlanta to Salt Lake City. Dunn was the co-pilot for the trip. Things got dicey when the captain suggested they divert their commercial flight to Grand Junction, Colorado. Just in case their passenger’s condition worsened.
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However, Dunn objected and threatened multiple times to shoot the captain, accusing him of “going crazy.” Dunn, a family man, should he face conviction, could face up to 20 years in prison. Judge Jared C. Bennett has set his trial date for March 12.
Dunn has acknowledged threatening the captain. However, he said he meant the threats as a joke. Unfortunately, the captain did not see things that way. He told authorities that he was afraid Dunn would use his gun to take command of the aircraft.
Huber’s argument on Thursday was that Dunn should not get the dangerous tag. After all, he has no criminal history. He also seems to be remorseful. New court documents reveal that Dunn seemed to recognize the gravity of his actions, telling Delta officials, “This could have been much worse.”
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The Transportation Security Administration authorized Dunn to carry a firearm on board. It has since revoked that authority and Delta says Dunn is no longer with the airline.
The program that allows some pilots to carry guns on domestic flights is a security measure that came into play after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The government authorized pilots like Dunn to carry a firearm after realizing it would be too expensive to have an air marshal on every flight.
Authorized pilots need to be vetted and attend a training course at a federal law enforcement center in New Mexico before they’re allowed to participate. Also, all pilots undergo regular medical exams in which they’re required to disclose their mental status as well as their use of medications, drugs, and alcohol.
The training is extensive, and those who get authorized are made aware of the extensive protocols attached to how they carry the weapon. The gun should never leave the cockpit or even the holster unless absolutely necessary.
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The altercation between Dunn and the captain occurred on the last leg of a three-day cross-country rotation they completed together. The captain complained about Dunn questioning his decisions throughout the entire rotation and attempting to be a “right-seat captain.”
Ahead of his trial, Dunn has been instructed by the judge to surrender his passport and firearms and remain at his current residence. He has been living at his in-laws’ house in South Dakota and will not have access to guns before the trial or contact any witnesses in the case.
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