Passenger Arrested After Attempting to Open Alaska Airlines 737 Door

Incident Overview

On December 10, 2025, a significant security incident occurred onboard an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 during Flight AS87, which was en route from Deadhorse, Prudhoe Bay (SCC) to Anchorage, Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC). At an altitude of approximately 39,000 feet, a passenger made an alarming attempt to open an emergency exit.

Erratic Behavior Before the Incident

Shortly after takeoff, a man named Kassian William Fredericks began exhibiting unusual and disturbing behavior. Passengers reported that he was talking to himself, fidgeting, and appeared visibly upset, prompting some to relocate to avoid potential aggression.

As cabin crew provided beverage service, Fredericks made alarming claims, insisting that the wings of the aircraft had vanished and that everyone aboard was in grave danger. His unsettling remarks escalated tensions in the cabin, as he expressed fears of toxic substances infiltrating the air supply.

Flight attendants, sensing a potential crisis, requested nearby passengers to keep an eye on Fredericks as they discreetly continued their service.

Mid-Air Confrontation

The situation intensified when Fredericks attempted to pull the handle of a rear emergency door while the airplane was still airborne. A fellow passenger, emerging from the restroom, alerted the others, which quickly attracted attention to Fredericks’s actions.

Multiple passengers intervened, and it took several men to restrain him and prevent him from opening the door, despite the pressure mechanism that would have kept it sealed. Fredericks insisted that he needed fresh air, escalating panic among those on board. Although the door could not be opened, the handle was reportedly dislodged from its locked position.

Flight attendants briefly debated the use of restraining devices but opted against it, deciding instead to have passengers remain in their seats nearby to contain the situation.

Legal Action and Charges

Upon landing in Anchorage, law enforcement was waiting for the aircraft. Fredericks was taken to a hospital for a medical examination, where he revealed that he had been consuming alcohol for days and was experiencing hallucinations while on antidepressants.

As a result, federal authorities charged Fredericks with interfering with flight crew members, a serious violation under U.S. law. He faces the prospect of 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. Investigators noted that, while the door could not physically open mid-flight, Fredericks’s actions posed a risk of activating the emergency slide.

Final Thoughts

This alarming incident aboard Alaska Airlines underscores the challenges airlines face in dealing with disruptive behaviors linked to mental health issues and substance abuse. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and the aircraft landed safely. However, it raises critical concerns about the rapid escalation of threats presented by individual passengers at cruising altitudes.

As the case enters federal court, what measures do you think airlines should implement to better manage such incidents in the future?