Pilot Who Disrupted Flight Will Be Released

A judge in Texas says a commercial pilot who ran through his plane shouting about terrorists can go free instead of being committed to a mental health facility.

Former JetBlue Airways pilot Clayton Osbon was charged with interfering with a flight crew after a midair meltdown in March on a flight from New York to Las Vegas.

He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and could have been committed to a mental health facility.

But US District Judge Mary Lou Robinson ruled that he "would not create a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person or serious damage to the property of another" if released.

He will be freed when his lawyers and federal prosecutors agree on a date.

The meltdown saw Mr Osbon wrestled to the ground by passengers after he ran through the plane's cabin shouting about Jesus, al Qaeda and bombs.

The flight was diverted and safely landed in Texas.

A neuropsychologist testified at the trial in July that Osbon had a "brief psychotic disorder" brought on by lack of sleep.

Osbon had another psychotic episode in August during a court-ordered mental evaluation.

Several passengers on board the flight have sued the airline, claiming JetBlue should have known he was not fit to fly that day.