A former Alaska Airlines pilot, Joseph David Emerson, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio in Portland, Oregon, to time served and three years of supervised release for trying to cut the engines of a passenger flight while off-duty. Emerson, 46, made a startling confession to police regarding the incident that occurred on October 22, 2023, aboard Horizon Air Flight 2059 en route from Washington to San Francisco.
Emerson, who was an off-duty passenger in the cockpit, reached for two red fire suppression handles in an attempt to shut off fuel to the plane’s engines. The active pilots and crew managed to restrain him, and the aircraft landed safely in Portland with 84 passengers onboard.
Court documents revealed that Emerson, grieving a friend’s death and sleep-deprived for 48 hours, had consumed psychedelic mushrooms two days earlier. He believed he was dreaming and tried to wake himself up by pulling the levers. Emerson expressed regret for his actions during his sentencing, acknowledging the impact on others and the personal growth resulting from the incident.
Despite losing his career and facing legal consequences, Emerson expressed gratitude towards the flight crew for saving lives and described the experience as a catalyst for positive changes in his life. Following his sentencing, he embraced his wife and expressed appreciation for the support received during the challenging journey. Multiple individuals, including his wife, spoke in support of Emerson at the hearing, emphasizing his courage and resilience in responding to the incident.