First we need to determine if the pilot left the flight deck looking for a fight, or if he went back in the course of his duties to look after his crew and pasengers.

That said, it's all about the NRA - Necessary, Reasonable, Appropriate.

This will mean different things to 12 different people.

Could one person in 12 be convinced that, approaching the 10th anniversary of 9/11...

An airline pilot is informed about suspicious passenger(s), returns to the gate, and in the process of removing the suspicious party, he receives threats on his life. Moments later the aircraft is rushed and he is physically attacked. Would a reasonable airline pilot think his life is in danger?

An airline pilot is being physically attacked at or near the flight deck and has no path of retreat. He has received what I shall call "airline specific security training" which includes certain responses to certain situations. Would the average airline pilot find it necesssary to fight back?

An airline pilot perceives that he is being attacked on or near the flight deck and his life is at risk. He probably also feels responsible for the lives of those aboard the plane. Would it be appropriate to respond with physical force, up to and including deadly physical force?

If the prosecution can convince all 12 jurors beyond a reasonable doubt that the answer to these questions is NO then the pilot could be looking at doing some time.