FBI Says Computer Expert Claimed To Hack Into Planes, Commandeer Jet Engine

(CBS SF) – A computer expert who allegedly hacked into the in-flight systems of airplanes to expose security flaws could face prosecution. The FBI claims he also hacked into a jet and commandeered a flight.

According to federal court documents, Chris Roberts was questioned by the FBI earlier this year. During those interviews, federal court documents said Roberts told investigators he hacked into planes through the in-flight entertainment systems about 15 to 20 times from 2011 to 2014. The documents also say Roberts told the FBI he controlled a plane's engine.

"He stated that he successfully commanded the system he had accessed to issue the 'CLB' or climb command. He stated that he thereby caused one of the airplane engines to climb resulting in a lateral or sideways movement of the plane during one of these flights," according to an affidavit signed by F.B.I. agent Mike Hurley.

The documents were first obtained by the Canadian news organization APTN last week.

Roberts was also questioned by the FBI last month after a flight to Syracuse, New York after jokingly suggesting on Twitter that he could get the plane's oxygen masks to deploy. His laptop and other electronics were also seized.

Attorney Andrew Crocker with the San Francisco-based Electronic Frontier Foundation is representing Roberts. Through his attorney, Roberts told CNN, "Over last 5 years my only interest has been to improve aircraft security. Given the current situation I've been advised against saying more."