A former Alaska Airlines pilot has pleaded guilty in federal court for attempting to shut down the engines of a passenger plane mid-flight while seated in a cockpit jump seat. This alarming incident, which occurred during an October 2023 flight, led to a significant in-flight emergency. Joseph Emerson, 46, reached a plea agreement in both his federal and state cases in Oregon, as confirmed by his attorney to ABC News.
Emerson pleaded guilty to interference with flight crew members and attendants in federal court in Portland, as outlined in online court records. In a court filing related to his guilty plea, Emerson disclosed that he had consumed psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in mushrooms, two days before the flight. He stated, "I was still suffering from the aftereffects of this drug." Despite being present in the jump seat and interacting with the flight crew, Emerson believed he was experiencing a dream and felt an intense urge to awaken.
In an effort to "wake up" from what he perceived as a dream, Emerson admitted to intentionally pulling the dual fire extinguisher handles designed to shut off the aircraft's engines while the plane was in the air. "I knew that doing this would shut the engines off," he explained in the filing, "but at the time, I felt that doing so would wake me up from my dream and I would be with my family." His actions prompted immediate intervention from the flight crew, who had to physically restrain him to prevent the engines from shutting down.
Thanks to the swift actions of the professional and well-trained flight crew, the engines remained operational, allowing the aircraft to land safely. Emerson's sentencing in the federal case is scheduled for November 17, where he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, as outlined in the plea agreement.
In addition to the federal charges, Emerson has a plea hearing set for the same day regarding his state charges. Initially facing numerous attempted murder charges, he was subsequently indicted by a Multnomah County grand jury on 83 counts of recklessly endangering another person, classified as a misdemeanor, alongside one count of first-degree endangering aircraft, a felony.
Emerson had consumed psychedelic mushrooms just days prior to boarding a Horizon Air flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco on October 22, 2023, while serving as an off-duty crew member. He described the moment as he pulled the two large red levers designed to shut down the engines, confessing difficulties in discerning reality during the flight. The plea agreement notes that one of the pilots engaged in a physical struggle with Emerson to prevent a potential catastrophe.
After the aircraft was diverted to Portland, Emerson was arrested and informed police that he was experiencing a mental crisis, having not slept for approximately 48 hours and feeling detached from reality. Reflecting on the incident, he described those moments as "the worst 30 seconds of my life." In a subsequent interview with ABC News, he expressed his acceptance of responsibility for his actions, stating, "At the end of the day, I accept responsibility for the choices that I made. They're my choices."
Emerson revealed that he was in Washington to celebrate the life of his best friend, Scott, a fellow pilot who had passed away during a run several years earlier. The group had consumed psychedelic mushrooms during this gathering. Emerson reported that the physical and psychological effects lingered for days, leading him to feel trapped in an unreal state during the flight home. He recalled reaching for the red handles, believing it was his escape from this distorted reality.
Following his arrest, Emerson and his wife established a nonprofit organization named Clear Skies Ahead, aimed at raising funds and increasing awareness about pilot mental health. This initiative highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues within the aviation industry, especially for those who face high-stress situations regularly.
