Federal Charges Filed After Passenger Allegedly Tries to Open Alaska Airlines Door

A man faces federal charges after a serious security breach on a recent Alaska Airlines Flight 87 from Deadhorse to Anchorage, Alaska. The passenger allegedly attempted to open a rear cabin door during the flight. This alarming incident required intervention from both the flight crew and fellow passengers. The event underscores the persistent challenge of unruly passenger mid-flight behavior across the commercial aviation sector.

Incident Details and Intervention

The incident occurred on December 10, 2025, aboard the Deadhorse to Anchorage flight. Authorities identified the passenger as Kassian William Fredericks, 36. According to an FBI affidavit, Fredericks was behaving erratically throughout the flight. Witnesses reported him shouting, "The wings have disappeared. We're all going to die."

Fredericks allegedly moved to the rear of the cabin. He then aggressively tried to open the door of the Boeing 737-900 aircraft. A nearby passenger intervened, attempting to pull him away from the exit. It took the combined effort of three passengers to successfully restrain Fredericks in his seat. The flight crew was alerted to the situation immediately.

Alaska Airlines confirmed the passenger was restrained. The aircraft landed safely at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). Law enforcement and emergency medical services met the plane upon arrival. The airline has since banned the individual from all future flights.

Legal and Safety Implications

Fredericks was charged with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants. This is a serious federal charges aviation safety violation. If convicted, he faces a potential fine and up to 20 years in federal prison.

Experts note it is technically impossible to open an aircraft door at cruising altitude. Cabin pressurization creates forces far greater than human strength. However, tampering with the mechanism is still a critical safety threat. Such actions can damage the door and potentially deploy the emergency slide inside the cabin. This could seriously injure passengers and crew.

The Broader Context of Unruly Passenger Incidents

This incident adds to the growing number of FAA unruly passenger incidents. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has maintained a strict zero-tolerance policy. The agency continues to levy significant fines against disruptive travelers.

In 2024, airlines reported over 2,102 cases of unruly passengers to the FAA. This figure is a slight increase from the previous year. The FAA referred 512 of these cases for enforcement action. The agency also referred the most egregious cases to the FBI for criminal investigation.

International bodies like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) stress the need for global cooperation. They aim to address the rise in disruptive behavior. The safety of all passengers and crew is paramount. Airlines and manufacturers, like Boeing, continuously review procedures. They seek to enhance cabin security and crew training protocols. This ensures quick and effective responses to such volatile situations. For more updates on this and other commercial aviation news, please visit flying.flights.