On December 12th, 2023, The Norman Wells RCMP received a complaint from Flight Services in Norman Wells reporting that a flight en route to Délı̨nę was returning to Norman Wells to make an emergency landing. Officers were told that shortly after the plane took off from Norman Wells, an intoxicated passenger brandished an imitation firearm and waved it around the cabin. The pilot was able to take the imitation firearm from the passenger and then make the emergency landing after declaring a "Mayday".
RCMP officers boarded the plane and took the 42-year-old man into custody. A second imitation firearm was found concealed in the man's sleeve.
42-year-old Derrick Mackeinzo of Délı̨nę has been charged with:
- Endangering the Safety of an Aircraft
- Unruly or Dangerous Behaviour (Aeronautics Act)
- Possession of an offensive weapon onboard an aircraft
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Using an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence
- Failing to comply with probation order
Mackeinzo was remanded into custody pending a future court appearance.