A former pilot accused of attempting to shut off the engines of a passenger jet mid-flight has pleaded guilty to the charges in a federal court. Joseph David Emerson was riding off-duty in the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight when he told the pilots I am not okay before trying to cut the engines midair, court documents showed. Emerson also told police he had taken psychedelic mushrooms and had been struggling with depression.
Under his plea agreement, prosecutors can recommend a one-year prison sentence, while his attorneys are expected to argue for no additional jail time. He pleaded no-contest to reckless endangerment and first-degree endangering an aircraft in Oregon state court, and guilty in federal court, according to CBS News.
In the state court, he was sentenced to 50 days in jail, which he has already served, five years' probation, 664 hours of community service - eight hours for each person he endangered - and $60,659 (£44,907) in restitution, CBS reported.
What Joseph Emerson did was reckless, selfish, and criminal, Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Eric Pickard commented. Emerson stated in court that he had been unable to perceive reality after taking the mushrooms, but acknowledged, that doesn't make this right.
The flight on October 22, 2023, was en route from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, California, with 80 passengers aboard, but was diverted to Portland, Oregon. The incident lasted about 90 seconds, with one pilot battling Emerson until he was subdued and removed from the cockpit. After being restrained, Emerson expressed remorse, saying, I messed everything up and claimed he had tried to kill everybody.
As part of his sentence, Emerson must serve half of his community service hours at Clear Skies Ahead, a non-profit for pilot health that he founded with his wife. He is also required to undergo drug and alcohol assessments, steer clear of non-prescribed drugs, and maintain a distance from operable jets without permission from his probation officer. His federal sentencing is scheduled for November 17.
Under his plea agreement, prosecutors can recommend a one-year prison sentence, while his attorneys are expected to argue for no additional jail time. He pleaded no-contest to reckless endangerment and first-degree endangering an aircraft in Oregon state court, and guilty in federal court, according to CBS News.
In the state court, he was sentenced to 50 days in jail, which he has already served, five years' probation, 664 hours of community service - eight hours for each person he endangered - and $60,659 (£44,907) in restitution, CBS reported.
What Joseph Emerson did was reckless, selfish, and criminal, Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Eric Pickard commented. Emerson stated in court that he had been unable to perceive reality after taking the mushrooms, but acknowledged, that doesn't make this right.
The flight on October 22, 2023, was en route from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, California, with 80 passengers aboard, but was diverted to Portland, Oregon. The incident lasted about 90 seconds, with one pilot battling Emerson until he was subdued and removed from the cockpit. After being restrained, Emerson expressed remorse, saying, I messed everything up and claimed he had tried to kill everybody.
As part of his sentence, Emerson must serve half of his community service hours at Clear Skies Ahead, a non-profit for pilot health that he founded with his wife. He is also required to undergo drug and alcohol assessments, steer clear of non-prescribed drugs, and maintain a distance from operable jets without permission from his probation officer. His federal sentencing is scheduled for November 17.
