He wasn't even on duty when investigators say former Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson tried to shut down the engine of an airplane full of passengers mid-flight while high on psychedelic mushrooms in 2023. The case against him recently wrapped up with Emerson pleading guilty or no contest to charges of attempting to disable the engines.
Emerson reached plea agreements with state and federal prosecutors to take accountability and avoid further jail time.
Emerson's actions on the Horizon Air flight from Everett to San Francisco were described as reckless, selfish, and criminal by Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Eric Pickard. There were 80 people on board during the October 2023 flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco that had to divert to Portland after Emerson tried to bring it down while a guest in the cockpit.
He admitted to being under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms and sleep-deprived. He told investigators that he believed he was dreaming when he attempted to disable the engines.
Emerson received a 50-day jail sentence with credit for time served and five years probation in state court, with a federal sentencing pending in November.
Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Eric Pickard said in a statement Friday, “We should remember how close he came to ruining the lives of not just the 84 people aboard Flight 2059, but all of their family members and friends as well.”