Alaska Airlines Pilot Faces 167 Charges, Including 83 Counts of Attempted Murder, After Mid-Flight Disturbance
An Alaska Airlines pilot is facing a staggering 167 criminal charges, including 83 counts of attempted murder, after a mid-flight disturbance on Horizon Air Flight 2059 from Everett, Washington to San Francisco International Airport. The off-duty pilot, Joseph Emerson, 44, attempted to shut down the jet’s engines from the cockpit, creating a terrifying ordeal for the passengers and crew.
Following the incident, Alaska Airlines confirmed that Emerson has been removed from service indefinitely and relieved from all duties. The airline expressed deep concern over the details of the case and emphasized that gate agents and flight attendants did not observe any signs of impairment that would have prevented Emerson from flying on Flight 2059. Alaska Airlines stated that their employees are trained to identify signs and symptoms of impairment, and that they followed mandatory practices in authorizing Emerson as a jump-seat passenger in the cockpit.
According to court documents, during the flight, Emerson threw his headset and exclaimed, I am not okay. He then proceeded to pull on the two red handles that would have activated the engine suppression system, with the intent to shut down the engines. Emerson later claimed that he thought he was dreaming and wanted to wake up.
Fortunately, the two pilots managed to wrestle him to prevent a catastrophic event. Emerson was subsequently subdued and removed from the cockpit. However, he did not give up there. As the plane was descending to Portland’s airport, he attempted to grab the emergency exit door handle.
The court documents further revealed that Emerson admitted to being in a mental crisis and having not slept for over 40 hours. He also confessed to consuming magic mushrooms approximately 48 hours before the incident. It is worth noting that the use of such psychotropic drugs is disqualifying for aeromedical certification purposes.
Alaska Airlines stressed that they have a zero-tolerance policy for substance abuse and comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s mandatory drug testing program for on-duty crew members.
As the case proceeds, Emerson has pleaded not guilty to 83 counts of attempted murder and one count of endangering an aircraft. He has been charged in federal court with interfering with flight crew members and attendants.
Neighbors of Emerson in Pleasant Hill expressed shock over the incident, describing him as a caring father and a seemingly normal, nice guy. They were relieved that no harm came to the passengers but emphasized the need for Emerson to seek help for his mental struggles.
The unsettling incident highlights the importance of diligent screening procedures and the challenges faced by airlines in identifying mental health issues in their employees, as well as the potential risks that can arise during flights. This alarming event serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive safety measures in the aviation industry.
