Pilot who attempted to sabotage aircraft engines under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms admits guilt in court
In a shocking incident that took place on Horizon Air flight 2059 from Everett to San Francisco in 2023, Joseph Emerson, a former Alaska Airlines pilot, admitted to interfering with the flight crew.
Emerson, who had taken psilocybin (magic mushrooms) about two days prior and had not slept for over 40 hours, attempted to disrupt the flight. However, the two pilots on board managed to stop him from doing so, and the plane was diverted to Portland.
The incident resulted in the plane landing safely with 84 people on board. For his actions, Emerson has now pleaded guilty to the federal count of interfering with a flight crew and no-contest to the state charges.
In Oregon state court, Emerson faced 83 counts of endangering another person and one count of endangering an aircraft. As part of a plea agreement, he was sentenced to 50 days in jail (already served), five years on probation, 664 hours of community service, and $60,569 (£44,840) in restitution.
Speaking to the court, Emerson accepted responsibility for his actions and acknowledged that what happened was wrong. He was also charged in federal court with the same offence.
Off-duty airline pilots often sit in the jump seat of the flight deck behind the pilots to fly back to their home base if seats are available. However, on this fateful day, Emerson was seated in the spare seat of the cockpit when he attempted to cut the engines.
The Multnomah County deputy district attorney, Eric Pickard, stated that Emerson's actions were reckless, selfish, and criminal. Pickard also mentioned the potential harm Emerson could have caused to not just the 84 people aboard Flight 2059, but also their family members and friends.
Emerson still faces sentencing for the federal charge of interfering with a flight crew, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He is set to appear in court for federal sentencing on 17 November.
Unfortunately, there is no available information identifying the federal judge who will rule on the federal charges for disturbance of the flight crew involving Joseph Emerson on November 17, 2023.
