JetBlue pilot released from hospital, held in jail

The JetBlue pilot who suffered an apparent mid-flight meltdown last week is out of the hospital and in jail after making his first appearance in federal court. NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez reports.

By msnbc.com news services

The JetBlue pilot who suffered a midair meltdown that forced a flight to be diverted last week appeared in federal court in shackles on Monday to hear the charges against him.?

Capt. Clayton Osbon, who was accompanied by his wife, told Magistrate Judge Clinton Averitte he understands the charges against him for interfering with a flight crew.?

"I do," said Osbon, who was wearing a green collared shirt and khaki pants.?

Osbon will remain in jail until a detention hearing on Thursday, according to the?Amarillo Globe-News.?

A JetBlue flight made an emergency landing in Amarillo, Texas, on Tuesday after the pilot had a "medical situation" and had to be restrained by passengers. NBC's Tom Costello reports.

Osbon was released from the Pavilion at Amarillo's Northwest Texas Healthcare System in handcuffs at 7:30 a.m CT, the paper reported.

Flight 191 was scheduled from John F. Kennedy Airport to Las Vegas, but was diverted to Amarillo, Texas, on Tuesday. JetBlue suspended Osbon following the incident. He is charged with interfering with a flight crew and, if convicted, could face 20 years in prison.

Osbon's wife, Connye Osbon, said on Sunday that the pilot's family is focused on his recovery. She asked the media for privacy and said the family would not be granting interviews or making further statements. She said the family appreciated the public's concern.

"It is our belief, as Clayton's family, that while he was clearly distressed, he was not intentionally violent toward anyone," said a?statement?by Connye Osbon on behalf of the Osbon family that was released by JetBlue on Sunday. "We know you were placed in an awful situation and we appreciate your ability to respond professionally."

JetBlue said in a?blog post?last week that it will not share further details about the captain's "private life."

Reuters contributed to this report.

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