A former Alaska Airlines pilot, who attempted to disable the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 while off duty in the cockpit after consuming psychedelic mushrooms, entered guilty pleas or no contest to all charges on Friday. He expressed regret for risking passengers’ safety and affecting his profession.
Joseph Emerson, who was subdued by the flight crew after attempting to cut the engines of a Horizon Air flight with over 80 people onboard, reached plea deals with both state and federal attorneys to accept responsibility and avoid further jail time, as reported by the Associated Press through his lawyer, Noah Horst.
The October 2023 flight, traveling from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, was redirected to Portland after Emerson interfered with cockpit controls that could have ceased fuel flow to the engines. Fortunately, the flight landed without incident, according to the Associated Press.
“This challenging path has transformed me into a better father, a better husband, and a more active member of my community,” Emerson remarked. “Today, I can be the father I couldn’t be when I relied on alcohol to cope with life’s realities.”
But one passenger on the flight, Alison Snyder, said she would never again feel as comfortable flying.
Alaska Airlines confirmed the incident took place on one of its flights in Seattle, Washington. (Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
“Mr. Emerson was aware he was unfit to fly, a necessity for occupying the cockpit,” stated Snyder. “Joseph Emerson’s actions that day demonstrated his lack of judgment needed to be a pilot and he should never be permitted near a flight deck again.”
Emerson faced federal charges for flight crew interference and, in Oregon, 83 counts of endangering another person along with one count of endangering an aircraft. Initially, he pleaded not guilty to all allegations, as reported by the Associated Press.
Noah Horst and Alaska Airlines did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
