Missoula Airport Scare: Man Breaches TSA, Attempts to Enter Cockpit

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On October 22, 2024, a Missoula Airport Police Officer heard TSA officers yelling “Stop him!” Those yells were followed by more yells: “breach, breach, breach!” At this same time, Alaska Airlines Flight 697 had recently landed and was in the process of deplaning at gate A1.  

A male, later identified as 34-year-old Justin Seymour, entered the airport and unlawfully breached the TSA security line. TSA officers and the airport officer began chasing Seymour as he ran toward the aircraft boarding gates.  

At gate A1, Seymour started moving down the jet bridge when a Horizon employee stood in his way to intentionally block him from entering the plane. Seymour then ran into the employee and pushed her out of the way and into the ground. In doing so, Seymour caused bodily injury to the employee. Specifically, it is believed that Seymour’s shove caused the employee to strain her tendon muscles connected to her clavicle.  

With the employee no longer in his way, Seymour boarded the aircraft and headed toward the cockpit. An Alaska Airlines flight attendant saw Seymour enter the plane, and she could only think about blocking him from the flight deck. Seymour approached and shoved the flight attendant into the cockpit door.  

Another flight attendant attempted to distract Seymour to get him to momentarily face away from the cockpit door. While they tried to distract Seymour, the other flight attendant attempted to rotate the deadbolt on the cockpit door to secure the cockpit from Seymour’s entry. Seeing this, Seymour again attempted to enter the cockpit, and in doing so, he crushed the flight attendant’s hand and fingers between the cockpit door and its door frame.  

Law enforcement officers finally caught up to Seymour. As they entered the aircraft, Seymour was yelling he had to go to Estonia. Law enforcement officers grabbed Seymour’s arms, took him off the aircraft, and placed him in handcuffs.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

According to court documents, Seymour told officers that “all I had to do was fly the plane but I didn’t. . . I thought I was going to be able to. ” Seymour further advised that “bad people” told him to take the aircraft to Seattle, and then to Estonia. When asked if he knew he ran through the security checkpoint, Seymour advised “I ran through.” Seymour was also asked if he knew how to fly a plane and advised that “It seems easy enough to learn.”  

Seymour was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony robbery and felony aggravated burglary. His bond was set at $500,000.