Ex-Pilot Accused Of Trying To Cut A Passenger Flight’s Engines Reaches Plea Deals – KXL

PORTLAND, Ore. – A former Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to cut the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 while riding off-duty in the cockpit entered guilty and no-contest pleas in federal and state courts on Friday as part of agreements with prosecutors.

Joseph Emerson reached the plea agreements because he said he wants to take responsibility for his actions.

He was subdued by the flight crew after trying to cut the engines of a Horizon Air flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco on Oct. 22, 2023, while he was riding in an extra seat in the cockpit. The plane was diverted to Portland, where it landed safely with more than 80 people on board.

Emerson told police he was despondent over a friend’s recent death, had taken psychedelic mushrooms about two days earlier, and hadn’t slept in over 40 hours. He has said he believed he was dreaming at the time and that he was trying to wake himself up by grabbing two red handles that would have activated the plane’s fire suppression system and cut off fuel to its engines.

Emerson, of Pleasant Hill, California, was charged in federal court with interfering with a flight crew. A state indictment in Oregon separately charged him with 83 counts of endangering another person and one count of endangering an aircraft.

He previously pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and in December 2023 he was released from custody pending trial, with requirements that he undergo mental health services, stay off drugs and alcohol, and keep away from aircraft.

On Friday, Emerson pleaded guilty to the federal count and no-contest to the state charges, which carries the same legal effect as a guilty plea.

He will be sentenced for the federal charge in November.

As for the state charges, a Multnomah County judge sentenced him to 50 days in jail, with time served, and 5 years probation. He must also serve 664 hours of community service and pay about $60,000 in restitution.

Half of his community service can be performed at a pilot health nonprofit Emerson founded after his arrest.

He must also undergo assessments for drug and alcohol and mental health treatment, refrain from using any non-prescribed drugs, and keep at least 25 feet (7.6 meters) away from operable aircraft unless he has permission from his probation officer.