This guy has a full set of balls, does he not?
Recently, an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot, Joseph David Emerson, attempted to shut down the engines of a Horizon Air flight while it was midair. This incident occurred on a flight from Everett’s Paine Field to San Francisco. Emerson, who was sitting in the cockpit jump seat, reportedly tried to pull the engine fire suppression handles, which could have resulted in the engines shutting down completely. Fortunately, the flight crew intervened and prevented a potential disaster by restraining Emerson and safely diverting the plane to Portland KIRO 7 News Seattle
After his arrest, Emerson stated that he was experiencing a “nervous breakdown” at the time of the incident and had not slept for 40 hours. He mentioned that he had consumed magic mushrooms roughly 48 hours before the flight, which he believed might have contributed to his mental state. Emerson claimed he thought he was dreaming and wanted to wake up, leading him to attempt the shutdown KIRO 7 News Seattle
The ex-pilot who made headlines for attempting to shut down the engines of a commercial flight midair is holding on to hope that he might one day return to the skies. Joseph Emerson, 44, opened up about the catastrophic moment that derailed his career, the profound emotional toll on his family, and his plans for the future in his most revealing interview since the incident.
Former Bay Area pilot Joseph Emerson was inside an SFO-bound Alaska Airlines cockpit when he raised his arms and pulled two large red levers that could have shut down both engines. He calls the incident the worst 30 seconds of his life. Full interview: https://t.co/oGsYY8FFuN pic.twitter.com/pvEpefSBL4
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) August 23, 2024
Reflecting on the fateful event, Emerson said, “It’s 30 seconds of my life that I wish I could change, and I can’t.” In his conversation with ABC News, he recounted the bewildering episode aboard Horizon Air Flight 2059, an Alaska Airlines partner, where he allegedly tried to engage two levers that would have activated a fire-suppression system and cut fuel to the aircraft’s engines.
The bizarre episode stemmed from Emerson’s consumption of psychedelic mushrooms a week prior, during a memorial trip with friends. While the effects of such psychedelics typically subside after a few hours, Emerson reported lingering side effects that muddled his sense of reality for days after.
On October 22, as the flight traveled from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, Emerson found himself slipping into a surreal state of confusion, convinced he was trapped on a plane that wasn’t real. “That’s when I yanked off my headset, fully believing this isn’t real, and I’m not actually going home,” Emerson recalled. “As the pilots didn’t react to my bizarre behavior in the way I expected, it only deepened my conviction that none of it was real. I felt like I needed to wake up from this nightmare.”
SNEAK PEEK | Pilot Joseph Emerson’s Story | FX
The New York Times Presents: Lie to Fly
A pilot’s promising career takes a dark turn when he’s accused of attempting to down a plane after taking psychedelic mushrooms. The film delves into pilot mental health protocols and urgent… pic.twitter.com/SiWBirhZmU
— Kenny @Disney+ (@iKenny_J) August 23, 2024
In this delusional state, he reached for the red levers that would have cut off the engines mid-flight, an act that could have led to a catastrophic loss of life. Thankfully, the flight crew intervened just in time, restraining Emerson and safely diverting the plane to Portland, Oregon.
After the incident, a jail doctor diagnosed Emerson with hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), a rare condition that extends the sensory effects of psychedelic drugs and distorts reality. This diagnosis provided some explanation for his actions, though it didn’t absolve him of the legal consequences.
Facing a legal storm, Emerson pleaded not guilty to 83 counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment, and a single count of endangering an aircraft. Though the most severe charges of attempted murder have been dropped, he still confronts more than 80 state and federal accusations.
Ex-Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to down flight while on magic mushrooms trip wants to fly again https://t.co/AuzfyTw0Uf pic.twitter.com/qmMN9ueNE7
— New York Post (@nypost) August 24, 2024
Despite the gravity of the situation, Emerson remains reflective, saying, “I take full responsibility for my actions. These were my decisions.” He expressed a desire for the judicial process to consider his entire life and not just those terrifying 30 seconds. “I’ll accept whatever society decides my debt should be,” he remarked.
Currently, Emerson is channeling his energy into founding a nonprofit, Clear Skies Ahead, designed to support pilots grappling with mental health challenges. “Of course, I want to fly again,” he admitted. “I’d be lying if I said otherwise. I don’t know in what capacity or if that opportunity will come, but it’s not up to me. What I can do is focus on what’s ahead, put myself in the best position for that to be a possibility.”
More Info
Emerson has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of endangering an aircraft. Additionally, there is a federal charge against him for attempting to open the plane’s emergency exit after being removed from the cockpit KIRO 7 News Seattle
The case has sparked discussions about mental health and the challenges faced by pilots. Some colleagues and aviation experts argue that the high stress of the job, combined with the stigma around mental health, can lead to dangerous situations. The FAA has made efforts in recent years to reduce this stigma and encourage pilots to seek help if needed opb
Major Points
- Joseph Emerson, an ex-pilot who attempted to shut down a plane’s engines mid-flight, opens up about the incident’s impact on his life and career.
- Emerson blames his actions on lingering effects from psychedelic mushrooms, leading to a misperception of reality during the flight.
- Diagnosed with hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), he is facing over 80 state and federal charges, including reckless endangerment.
- Despite the incident, Emerson takes full responsibility for his actions and is prepared to accept the consequences decided by the judicial process.
- Emerson plans to start a nonprofit to support pilots with mental health challenges and hopes for a chance to fly again in the future.
TL Holcomb – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
