Sentenced to Nearly 20 Months in the Can After Dangerous Move

A Havre, Montana woman received a 19 month, 24 day prison sentence for diving at an aircraft’s flight controls during landing. The incident occurred last year on a Cape Air commercial flight.

On March 21, 2023, 36-year-old Tracy Lynn Eagleman took off from Billings on Cape Air flight 1793 to Havre. The flight went smoothly until the final approach segment, when Eagleman stood up and began to scream. The captain and first officer were able to calm her down just until touchdown. She got back out of her seat and dove into the cockpit, pushing the throttle forward for one of the aircraft’s two engines.

This led to the aircraft, which was still moving at around 75 kts or 80 mph, swerving on the runway. The crew regained control and stopped the aircraft before taxiing back to their gate. However, making large control inputs on the ground at high speeds often does not end so fortunately.

The incident was taken to court in August. Eagleman pled guilty to the charges of interfering with an aircraft in flight and faced a maximum of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and three additional years of supervised release.

Eagleman returned for sentencing on November 6. A federal judge punished her with 19 months and 24 days in prison plus three years of supervised release.

The case was chaired by Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris, prosecuted by the US Attorney's Office, and investigated by the FBI and Hill County Sheriff’s Office.

FMI: www.justice.gov