US pilot charged with attempted murder for ‘trying to shut down’ plane’s engines

The Alaska Airlines flight was diverted on Sunday after reporting a credible security threat. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

An Alaska Airlines flight bound for San Francisco was reportedly diverted to Portland, Oregon, after an off-duty pilot inside the cockpit attempted to disable the aircraft engines.

Alaska Airlines flight number 2059 operated by Horizon Air from Everett, Washington, was diverted on Sunday after reporting a credible security threat, according to a Federal Aviation Administration statement.