Sleep Deprivation Blamed for Pilot’s March Rant

The pilot of a JetBlue airline who went on a frightening in-flight rant way back in March, causing the flight to be diverted, was having a “brief psychotic disorder” brought by sleep deprivation. A psychologist was called at the hearing to testify. The psychologist’s testimony that was given last week was shown in court papers released today.

Witnesses said that the JetBlue pilot, Clayton Osbon, 49, was flying a New York to Las Vegas jet liner on  March 27 when the jet went on a rampage in the cabin, raving about the Sept. 11, 2001, creating allusions to terrorists and yelling, “Guys, push it to full throttle”.

According to a criminal complaint, Osbon also yelled jumbled comments about Jesus, September 11, Iraq, Iran and terrorists. The plane was carrying 131 passengers and six crew members.

One passenger told news reporters that the captain went crazy, came of the other end of the plane, ran back to the cockpit, shouted out numbers and then started banging on the cockpit door.

Fortunately, a passenger with knowledge about operating jet subdued Osbon. Therefore, the flight was diverted safely to Amarillo, Texas. Consequently, Osbon was suspended from his duties and charged with interfering with flight crew instructions.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not argue the psychologist’s testimony on July 3 and a federal judge in Texas found Osbon and a federal judge in Texas found Osbon not guilty due to a reason of insanity.

The U.S. District Judge Mary Lous Robinson said that Osbon seems to suffer from a severe mental disease of defect that weakened his ability to appreciate the nature, quality or wrongfulness of his behavior.

Osbon was subsequently sent to a mental health facility in Fort Worth for further treatment.

During the investigation following the incident, authorities found out that large numbers of pilots have reported for duty every day after having only a few hours of what fatigue experts referred to as “destructive sleep” in crowded crew lounges and often called “crash pads”.

Many critics and even authorities claimed that prevalent pilot fatigue is putting airline passengers at risk and may already have claimed lives.

On the other hand, the airline claimed that it continues to comply with the modified rules established by the Federal Aviation Administration in December that require a 10-hour rest period for pilots between flights and 30 consecutive hours off within a week.

A spokesperson from the JetBlue said that Osbon was still employed at the airlines on an inactive status. On August, Osbon is expected to have another hearing. A judge will determine whether he can be permanently released of admitted to a facility.

Although, sleep deprivation can be treated with natural sleep remedies, fatigue cannot be resolved by such aids. Therefore, pilot’s fatigue should be given with proper attention.


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