JetBlue Pilot’s Wife Thanks Crew, Passengers for ‘Compassion’

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Stringer / Reuters

Clayton Osbon, a JetBlue pilot, is removed from the plane after erratic behavior forced the crew to land in Amarillo, Texas.

Connye Osbon, the wife of the JetBlue pilot who melted down mid-flight, has released a public statement thanking those who showed concern for her husband’s situation.

Her husband, Clayton Osbon, is currently being treated at Northwest Texas Healthcare System in Amarillo, Texas, where the plane was forced to make an emergency landing last week. He had to be detained by several crew members and passengers, where he suffered a nervous breakdown outside the cockpit.

(MORE: The Real Lesson of the JetBlue Pilot Meltdown)

In a press release, Connye said:

We would like to recognize the Crew and passengers of Flight 191 for their effective yet compassionate handling of the situation. It is our belief, as Clayton’s family, that while he was clearly distressed, he was not intentionally violent toward anyone. We know you were placed in an awful situation and we appreciate your ability to respond professionally.

She further added that the media ought to respect the family’s privacy, and added that all interview requests would be denied. The family plans to make no further statements.

Osbon was suspended from the airline as a result from his actions. Federal authorities have pressed for action on the charges of interfering with a flight crew, without bond.

MORE‘Erratic’ JetBlue Pilot Suspended on Medical Grounds

Erica Ho is a contributor at TIME and the editor of Map Happy. Find her on Twitter at @ericamho and Google+. You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.