He tried to break into the cockpit: 19-year-old Alaska Airlines passenger faces 20 years in prison

Nathan Jones, a 19-year-old student pilot, has been charged with federal interference with crew after he tried to open the cockpit door three times during an Alaska Airlines flight. If convicted, the man faces up to 20 years in prison.

The incident occurred on March 3 on a flight from San Diego to Washington Dulles International Airport. According to the Independent, the student's lawyer defends the theory of his unstable mental state.

Under oath, an eyewitness testified that Jones repeatedly got up from his seat during the five-hour flight and tried to break into the cockpit. When asked by the crew members about the purpose of his actions, Jones replied that he was "testing them."

The passengers, including off-duty law enforcement officers, detained Jones by sitting next to him. The passenger was also immobilized with flexible handcuffs.

Alaska Airlines banned Jones from flying on its flights, characterizing his actions as a "non-violent" attempt to enter the cockpit. Fortunately, the plane landed safely and no one was injured.

Jones's lawyer, Robert Lee Jenkins, has requested a hearing on his mental competency.

Jones's therapist, Anna Zalewska, said in a letter to the court that the detainee had symptoms that "indicate a serious mental illness" and needed "inpatient treatment."

Earlier, TravelWise reported that Alaska Airlines had a problem with a Boeing 737 Max aircraft.