SEATTLE — The “anxious” passenger accused of stepping onto the wing of an Alaska Airlines jet Sunday could be facing charges.
The FBI is now on the case.
Eyewitnesses say the woman walked out onto the wing as passengers were getting off Alaska Airlines Flight 323 from Milwaukee at 5 p.m. last night.
The Port of Seattle’s crisis intervention team was called in and the woman was taken to a local hospital for evaluation after her anxiety was identified as the primary cause for her actions.
She is definitely not the first or only person to be nervous about being on an airplane. In fact, a lot of people say they are nervous fliers.
Perhaps never more than during the hectic holiday season.
The holiday hustle and bustle is on full display at SEA Airport, and some say they are feeling the anxiety.
When asked if she is anxious about flying, Gabbie from Minnesota said, “Definitely, I’m terrified of heights.”
But she is flying anyway.
Though driving is an option, she says, “But then there’s mountains and I don’t want to do those passes.”
Turns out — she is not alone.
Alaska-bound passenger Anita Bohan was asked what she was anxious about.
“Just falling out of the sky,” Bohan said. “Just something happening.”
Just after 5 p.m. Sunday, eyewitnesses say a female passenger opened an emergency exit door and climbed out onto the wing. A Port of Seattle medic talked her down and she was taken to a local hospital.
“It’s law enforcement’s discretion whether or not to charge somebody,” said aviation expert Scott Hamilton.
He says the woman may not face any charges at all.
“If somebody is having an anxious episode or is having some kind of mental capacity issue and there’s clearly no intent of some kind, you just kind of go with the flow, so to speak,” Hamilton said. “And would be the point of charging that person?”
Gabbie says she has found a way to cope with her flying anxiety.
“Music,” she said, “worship music.”
She says she relies on a higher power to get her through.
The FBI says it has been alerted, but as to whether the passenger will be charged, that will be up to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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