The wife of the JetBlue pilot whose frightening behavior forced an emergency landing says the family believes he wasn't "intentionally violent toward anyone."

Connye Osbon released her statement Sunday through the airline, asking media to respect the family's privacy. She says the family is focused on his recovery and won't be giving interviews.

Pilot Clayton Osbon became increasingly incoherent on a Tuesday flight from New York to Las Vegas. Co-pilot Jason Dowd locked him out of the cockpit and he was restrained by passengers. The plane landed in Texas.

Connye Osbon thanks the crew and passengers for the "effective yet compassionate handling of the situation."

JetBlue said Friday that the crew also was declining to speak publicly about the event.