JetBlue pilot in flight meltdown cleared by reason of insanity
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A JetBlue pilot who suffered a mid-air meltdown and started screaming about terrorists and bombs while running down the aisle has been found not guilty of interfering with a flight crew for reasons of insanity.
According to Guardian, a judge in Amarillo, Texas, said Clayton Osbon suffered "severe mental disease or defect" a the time of the incident on 27 March 2012.
The plane, which was flying from New York to Las Vegas and carrying 135 people, was forced to make an emergency landing after passengers wrestled him to the ground.
Mr Osbon was previously ruled competent enough to stand trial. He is to be re-evaluated before a hearing on 6 August to decide whether he can be released.
According to the BBC, court records say Mr Osbon must show "by clear and convincing evidence" that, if released, he would not pose any future danger. The judge could decide to commit him to a mental health facility.
A JetBlue spokeswoman said the airline still employs Mr Osbon, but he is on "inactive status", adding that the company was still offering support to the pilot's family.
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