Share this @internewscast.com

The off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to shut down the engines of an airborne plane last month after taking magic mushrooms thought he was dreaming and had questioned if he was in hell, he said in an interview published Saturday.

Joseph Emerson, 44, told The New York Times in a jailhouse interview in Portland, Oregon, that when he took the psychedelics around a campfire — which he had never taken before — on Oct. 20, two days before the incident, he dwelled on events in his past.

“I thought of a lot of traumatic things in that time where I was like, ‘Am I dead? Is this hell?’” he told the Times. “I’m reliving that trauma.”

On Oct. 22, as Emerson, who was off duty, was sitting in a jump seat of the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight when he allegedly tried shut down the plane’s engines by activating a fire suppression system.

Emerson told a Portland, Oregon, police officer that he thought he was dreaming and wanted to wake up, according to court documents, something Emerson also told the Times.

“I thought it would stop both engines, the plane would start to head towards a crash, and I would wake up,” Emerson told the newspaper.

Emerson also said he had been depressed and that he believed he was experiencing a mental breakdown, authorities have said.

The plane, Flight 2059 operated by Alaska Airlines subsidiary Horizon Air, was traveling from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco and was diverted to Portland.

Emerson is being held without bail at the Multnomah County Detention Center in Portland, jail records show.

He has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder and other charges in state court. He has pleaded not guilty. He has also been charged federally with interfering with a flight crew.

Emerson’s attorney, Noah Horst, has said that “he would never intentionally hurt another person,” and that “Joe was not under the influence of any intoxicants when he boarded that flight.”

No one was injured in the incident.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Recall: Nasal and teething swabs may be contaminated with fungi

Warning: Potential Fungal Contamination Found in Nasal and Teething Swabs

The microbial contamination poses serious health risks and could cause life-threatening blood…
Police respond to shooting on Las Vegas strip near tourist hot spot

Law Enforcement Addresses Shooting Incident Near Las Vegas Strip Tourist Area

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A wild video making…
A runaway pet zebra has been captured in Tennessee

Escaped Zebra Successfully Retrieved in Tennessee

A wayward zebra that had been wandering for over a week in…
Nighttime view of a large fire burning near a building.

NATO Jets Dispatched Following New Russian Missile Barrage on Ukraine’s Snake Island

NATO scrambled warplanes on Ukraine’s border overnight amid huge Russian strikes on…
Adrian Rucker charged after Krystal Rivera, Chicago police officer, killed unintentionally by fellow cop in Chatham shooting

Adrian Rucker Arrested After Accidental Shooting Death of Chicago Officer Krystal Rivera by Colleague in Chatham

CHICAGO (WLS) — A suspect is now facing charges in connection with…
Los Angeles ICE raids: What to know about Donald Trump's deployment of California National Guard troops to LA protests

Los Angeles ICE Raids: Key Information on Trump’s Decision to Deploy California National Guard to LA Protests

LOS ANGELES — President Donald Trump has announced the deployment of 2,000…
ICE raid protests: Rally in Pilsen protests recent immigration arrests; Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker criticizes use of National Guard

Pilsen Residents Rally Against ICE Raids While Governor JB Pritzker Opposes National Guard Deployment

CHICAGO (WLS) — Anger over Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations is prompting…
Costco Wholesale sign on a building.

A Health Product Sold at Costco and Amazon Recalled After Injuring More Than 100 People – Shoppers Eligible for Refunds and Free Memberships

SHOPPERS have been issued a health warning after a fitness product sold…
Our Chicago: Impact of planned U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel deal on Gary, Indiana plant and Midwest

How the Upcoming U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel Partnership Could Affect Gary, Indiana’s Plant and the Midwest

CHICAGO (WLS) — President Donald Trump recently announced a partnership between U.S.…
Image of Max and Sam Johnson in karate uniforms, faces blurred.

Shocking Autopsy Report Unveils New Details in Case of Grandma Allegedly Killing Grandsons at Farmhouse

TWO children found dead in their rural home were allegedly drugged before…
Child drowns in the ocean on Fernandina Beach

Tragic Incident: Child Drowns in Fernandina Beach Ocean

The child died in the hospital Saturday after being rescued from the…
'No one knows who the hell I am'

“Who Am I? Discovering the Unknown Me”

DNC Chair Ken Martin expressed deep frustration about party Vice Chairman and…