Alaska Airlines Pilot’s Psychedelic Mushroom Incident Causes Chaos Onboard
In a shocking incident, an Alaska Airlines pilot found himself at the center of chaos when he allegedly took psychedelic mushrooms and attempted to halt the plane’s engines while off-duty in the cockpit. The pilot, Joseph Emerson, recently spoke to the press for the first time since the incident, revealing his belief that he was trapped in a dream state.
Emerson recounted the harrowing details of the flight during a jailhouse interview with New York Times reporter Mike Baker. He revealed that reality became blurred, prompting him to take drastic action to escape what he thought was a dream. The pilot was reportedly grappling with the grief of losing his closest friend, Scott Pinney, and had consumed psychedelic mushrooms during a memorial getaway in Washington’s Methow Valley.
On the day of the incident, Emerson was returning from Everett, Washington to San Francisco. As customary for off-duty pilots, he secured a seat in the cockpit alongside the on-duty pilots. However, trouble arose when the plane reached cruising altitude. Emerson became increasingly agitated, removed his headset, and expressed distress. Suddenly, he pulled the plane’s fire-suppression handles, which are specifically designed to cut off the fuel supply and shut down both engines.
Thankfully, the other pilots onboard quickly intervened, managing to wrestle Emerson’s hands away and prevent a potential disaster. They immediately radioed for an emergency diversion to Portland, where Emerson was apprehended and taken into custody.
Emerson now faces a staggering 83 counts of attempted murder, with each count corresponding to a passenger and crew member onboard the aircraft. Additionally, federal prosecutors have filed separate charges against him for interfering with a flight crew.
Despite the serious allegations, Emerson has pleaded not guilty, asserting that he had no intention of causing harm. He claims that his actions were a desperate attempt to end a hallucinogenic state induced by the psychedelic mushrooms. Furthermore, Emerson revealed in the interview that he had grappled with long-standing mental health issues, which became apparent during the mind-altering experience.
The unexpected loss of his best friend in 2018 had a profound impact on Emerson. Seeking support, he began seeing a therapist who diagnosed him with symptoms of depression and suggested antidepressant medication as a possible treatment. However, Emerson discovered that taking medication could lead to a prolonged grounding from flying, which was his lifelong dream job. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has strict policies that disqualify pilots dealing with depression or mental health diagnoses, making seeking psychiatric help or taking antidepressants a disqualifying factor for flight eligibility.
Following the incident, Emerson texted his wife admitting his grave mistake, stating, I’ve made a big mistake. Expressing remorse, he told the New York Times, I am horrified that those actions put myself at risk and others at risk, while acknowledging that the consequences of his actions are now out of his hands.
In a parallel development, the FAA has announced the establishment of a committee dedicated to improving pilot mental health. The committee aims to identify and eliminate obstacles that prevent pilots from reporting mental health concerns to the agency.
This unprecedented incident highlights the critical role mental health plays in the airline industry and underscores the need for comprehensive support systems to ensure the safety of both pilots and passengers. As the investigation unfolds, the case serves as a somber reminder of the potential consequences that can arise from unchecked mental health issues within the aviation sector.
