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 the BBC's US partner 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.
'What Joseph Emerson did was reckless, selfish, and criminal,' Multnomah County, Oregon, Deputy District Attorney Eric Pickard said. 'We should remember how close he came to ruining the lives of not just the 84 people aboard Flight 2059, but all of their family members and friends as well.'
In court on Friday, Emerson acknowledged that he had been unable to perceive reality after taking the mushrooms, but 'that doesn't make this right', he said. 'This difficult journey has made me a better father, a better husband, a better member of my community,' he added.
The flight on October 22, 2023, was traveling from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, California, with 80 passengers aboard when it was diverted to Portland, Oregon. During the incident, a pilot struggled to restrain Emerson, which lasted about 90 seconds. After being subdued, Emerson warned flight attendants that 'you need to cuff me right now or it's going to be bad' and also attempted to reach for the emergency exit handle during descent.
His sentencing in the federal case is scheduled for November 17, and he must also be assessed for drug and alcohol use, refrain from using non-prescribed drugs, and maintain a safe distance from operable jets.
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 the BBC's US partner 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.
'What Joseph Emerson did was reckless, selfish, and criminal,' Multnomah County, Oregon, Deputy District Attorney Eric Pickard said. 'We should remember how close he came to ruining the lives of not just the 84 people aboard Flight 2059, but all of their family members and friends as well.'
In court on Friday, Emerson acknowledged that he had been unable to perceive reality after taking the mushrooms, but 'that doesn't make this right', he said. 'This difficult journey has made me a better father, a better husband, a better member of my community,' he added.
The flight on October 22, 2023, was traveling from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, California, with 80 passengers aboard when it was diverted to Portland, Oregon. During the incident, a pilot struggled to restrain Emerson, which lasted about 90 seconds. After being subdued, Emerson warned flight attendants that 'you need to cuff me right now or it's going to be bad' and also attempted to reach for the emergency exit handle during descent.
His sentencing in the federal case is scheduled for November 17, and he must also be assessed for drug and alcohol use, refrain from using non-prescribed drugs, and maintain a safe distance from operable jets.
