Ex-Alaska Airlines Pilot Pleads Guilty After Attempting to Disable Passenger Flight Engines

A former Alaska Airlines pilot, Joseph Emerson, admitted guilt to charges related to an incident where he tried to cut the engines of a passenger flight while off duty and under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms. Emerson expressed remorse, acknowledging the danger he posed to passengers and his professional reputation.

The October 2023 flight, en route from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, was diverted to Portland after Emerson, riding in the cockpit jump seat, pulled handles that could have shut down fuel flow to the engines. The plane landed safely, but the incident could have resulted in catastrophic consequences.

Emerson reached plea agreements to take responsibility and avoid additional jail time, receiving a 50-day sentence with credit for time served and five years probation in state court. He faces federal sentencing in November, where prosecutors may seek up to a year in custody, while his attorneys will argue for probation.

During police interviews, Emerson explained he was grieving a friend’s death, had taken mushrooms two days prior, and had gone over 40 hours without sleep. Believing he was dreaming, he thought pulling the handles would wake him up, although he later admitted his drug use impaired his perception of reality.

The airline stated that the flight crew did not notice any signs of intoxication that would have kept Emerson from working in the cockpit. Despite this, a passenger expressed concern, stating she no longer feels comfortable flying after the incident, criticizing Emerson’s judgment and suitability as a pilot.

Emerson was federally charged with interfering with a flight crew, and in Oregon, he faced 83 counts of endangering others and one count of endangering an aircraft. He initially pleaded not guilty but now seeks to accept accountability for his reckless actions.