A former Alaska Airlines pilot, identified as Joseph Emerson, aged 46, entered a plea of guilty in federal court on Friday. The charges? Attempting to shut down the engines of a passenger aircraft whilst in mid-air, thus inciting an in-flight emergency.
Emerson has reached plea agreements in both federal and state cases in Oregon, both stemming from an incident that took place in October 2023. His guilty plea was to the charge of interference with flight crew members and attendants, as confirmed by online court records.
Emerson, in a court filing, admitted to having consumed psilocybin, a compound found in mushrooms known for its hallucinogenic properties, two days before the flight. He explained his actions as being driven by a perceived need to ‘wake up’ from a dream-like state, pulling the fire extinguisher handles for the aircraft engines mid-flight in an attempt to jolt himself back to reality.
The quick-thinking and well-trained flight crew managed to prevent the engines from shutting down, thus ensuring a safe landing. The evidence suggests that Emerson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, as per the plea agreement. His sentencing is scheduled for November 17th.
Emerson also entered a no-contest plea to his state charges. Originally facing multiple counts of attempted murder, he was ultimately indicted by a Multnomah County grand jury on 83 misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person and one count of endangering aircraft in the first degree, a felony.
Deputy District Attorney Eric Pickard highlighted that an off-duty pilot, such as Emerson, should be prepared to pilot in case of an emergency. Yet, Emerson, despite being unwell, boarded the flight and attempted to pull the levers that control the engines.
As a result, Emerson was sentenced to 50 days in jail, served, and five years’ probation. He has also been ordered to pay over $60,000 in restitution, the majority of which goes to Alaska Airlines, and perform over 600 hours of community service.
Joseph Emerson, in speaking before the court before sentencing, expressed regret for the harm he had caused to the passengers, crew members, and his profession. He affirmed his gratitude to the pilots and crew members who ‘saved his life’ and enabled him to seek help for alcohol abuse.
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Two passengers on the flight have attested to now experiencing anxiety while flying. One urged the judge to send a strong message to deter any similar future incidents. The other suggested that Emerson use his community service to educate students about the dangers and risks associated with the use of psychedelics.
Reports indicate that Emerson has already stated his intention to speak at schools and to pilots who are suffering in silence, much like he did before the incident.
The incident in question occurred when Emerson, after taking psychedelic mushrooms, boarded a Horizon Air flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco as an off-duty crew member. His hallucinations were so severe that he believed himself to be trapped in an alternate reality, leading to his attempt to shut down the engines mid-flight.
In the aftermath of his arrest, Emerson and his wife have founded a nonprofit organization, Clear Skies Ahead, dedicated to raising funds for and awareness of pilot mental health.