The JetBlue pilot who was restrained and hospitalized after a bizarre midair meltdown last Tuesday was transferred from the hospital to the Federal Court Building in Amarillo this morning to be arraigned. Clayton Osbon faces charges for interfering with a flight crew, which could carry a 20 year prison sentence. He'll be transferred to the Randall County Jail after the hearing, the Amarillo news channel 10 reports. The arraignment comes as newly-enhanced video shows his frightening meltdown in much greater detail:
And if that didn't put the fear in ya', here's another enhanced video, which shows Osbon shrieking "It's gonna blow!":
Yesterday Osbon's wife Connye released a statement saying, "It is our belief, as Clayton's family, that while he was clearly distressed, he was not intentionally violent toward anyone." She also thanked the men who restrained her husband, writing, "We would like to recognize the Crew and passengers of Flight 191 for their effective yet compassionate handling of the situation... We know you were placed in an awful situation and we appreciate your ability to respond professionally."
Investigators are trying to determine whether Osbon's freakout was medically-related, and if he had taken any substances prohibited to pilots. Former National Transportation Safety Board head Mark Rosenker tells CBS, "The FAA has a very stringent list of medications—drugs that they are allowed to take while they are actually on flying status." Investigators want to know if Osbon's condition was brought on by a substance he did not disclose to regulators.
The Daily News also notes today that Osbon's father, who was an amateur pilot, died in a plane crash nearly 20 years ago. Ronald Osbon, 58, and Kevin Kaniss were flying a twin-engine plane to the Bahamas in 1995 when the plane lost engine power over Daytona Beach, Florida and burst into flames after clipping a tree. Both men died in the crash.
