Joseph David Emerson, a 44-year-old Alaska Airlines pilot, has been charged with interfering with flight crew members and attendants after a disturbing incident on a flight. Court documents reveal that Emerson told police he had taken psychedelic mushrooms two days before the flight and was suffering from a nervous breakdown.
The Incident and Its Aftermath
Emerson was in the cockpit’s “jump seat” during the flight when he attempted to disable the engines of the Embraer 175 by pulling the fire-suppression handles. The flight’s pilot and co-pilot managed to restrain him, preventing a potential catastrophe. After the incident, Emerson tried to open an emergency exit during the flight’s descent but was stopped by a flight attendant. He was quoted as telling the crew, “You need to cuff me right now or it’s going to be bad.”
In addition to federal charges, Emerson faces 83 counts of attempted murder and one count of endangering an aircraft in Oregon state court. Alaska Airlines stated that employees did not notice any signs of impairment in Emerson during the check-in or boarding process. The flight, Alaska Airlines Flight 2059, was operated by Horizon Air, a regional subsidiary of Alaska Air Group.
Emerson’s Mental State and Substance Use
According to an FBI affidavit, Emerson had been depressed for the past six months and had not slept for 40 hours before the incident. He also told police that he believed he was having a nervous breakdown. Interestingly, Oregon became the first U.S. state to decriminalize psilocybin, the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms,” in 2020. However, the substance remains illegal under federal law.
Emerson, a resident of Pleasant Hill, California, joined Alaska Air Group in August 2001. The airline confirmed that his certifications had never been denied, suspended, or revoked. Adam Silverthorne, president of California-based NRI Flying Club, expressed surprise at the incident, stating that Emerson was a kindhearted, methodical family man when he knew him several years ago.
An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot faces multiple charges after attempting to disable an airplane’s engines mid-flight. His actions have been linked to his use of psychedelic mushrooms and a reported nervous breakdown. The incident raises questions about mental health reporting requirements for pilots and the effectiveness of pre-flight checks for flight crew members.
Source: Reuters
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