US pilot who yelled about Jesus, terrorists on flight sues airline

A JetBlue Airways pilot who scared passengers by yelling about Jesus and al-Qaeda in 2012 has sued the airline for $16 million, saying it jeopardised the flight by failing to recognise he was ill.

Clayton Osbon filed the lawsuit yesterday in Manhattan federal court.

No one was seriously injured on the March 27, 2012 flight from New York to Las Vegas when Osbon was restrained after running through the cabin shouting irrationally.

The plane made an emergency landing in Amarillo, Texas.

The lawsuit said Osbon's behaviour resulted from seizures.

The lawsuit accused JetBlue of ignoring warning signs Osbon was not well before the plane took off.

In a statement, JetBlue praised the "heroic actions of the crew," saying ongoing litigation prevents it from commenting further.