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Flight deck audio reveals details on ex-Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to shut plane's engines off mid-flight
Cbsnews.com and 2 more
- Off-duty Horizon/Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson attempted to shut off the engines mid-flight, prompting an emergency landing and immediate investigation.
- New cockpit audio and reporting reveal Emerson told crew he wasn’t OK and later expressed a wish to wake up, underscoring a mental-health crisis concurrent with his actions.
- The incident involved a full flight with 83 passengers and crew, escalating risk as Emerson attempted to cut power to the plane while in the jump seat.
- Authorities cited hallucinogens as a key factor in the dangerous conduct, with later reporting linking mushrooms to the breakdown in judgment.
- Emerson was sentenced to time served plus three years of supervised release after pleading to the charges, reflecting the resolution of the legal case.
- In later remarks, Emerson described a dissociative state and a desire to wake up as the cockpit tension unfolded, highlighting the impact of mental distress on safety.
- The new reference adds vivid cockpit dialogue, including urging to direct to Portland and the alarm about losing fuel, expanding on how close the plane came to a catastrophic outcome.
- The reference reinforces that Emerson was off-duty and seated in the cockpit jump seat when the incident began, linking intoxication-era perception to the crisis.
- The incident prompted broader discussions about aviation safety and the integration of mental-health support for pilots, echoing ongoing safety improvements in the industry.
- The case highlights a high-profile sentencing outcome where Emerson received credit for time served and a multi-year supervised release period, closing the legal chapter.
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