A former Alaska Airlines pilot is facing a federal judge’s decision regarding his sentencing for a grave incident involving a commercial flight. Joseph David Emerson was convicted of attempting to disable the engines of Horizon Air Flight 2059 while sitting in the cockpit’s jump seat. The flight, which originated from Everett, Washington, was headed to San Francisco but made an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon on October 22, 2023.
Pilot’s Conviction Overview
Emerson, aged 46, is currently awaiting sentencing, with the prosecution seeking a one-year prison term. Conversely, his attorney argues that probation should suffice, as outlined in their respective sentencing memos. Emerson previously received five years of probation in state court for the same charges after pleading no contest to 83 counts of recklessly endangering another and one count of first-degree endangering an aircraft.
Incident Details
On that fateful day, Emerson, experiencing a drug-induced psychosis, attempted to pull the red-handled fire suppression levers in the cockpit. These levers cut off fuel to the engines, potentially turning the aircraft into a glider. Fortunately, Emerson couldn’t engage the levers fully, which would have resulted in catastrophic consequences.
- Date of Incident: October 22, 2023
- Flight: Horizon Air Flight 2059
- Incident Location: Portland International Airport
- Number of Passengers and Crew: 83
Context of the Incident
Just two days prior, Emerson had consumed psilocybin mushrooms during a remembrance gathering for a deceased friend. His attorney states that Emerson was not scheduled to pilot crew flights for several days and believed the drug’s effects would fade within eight hours. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The pilot’s mental state deteriorated, leading him to feel disconnected from reality.
Emerson’s Actions During the Flight
While in the cockpit, Emerson exhibited signs of distress, including informing flight attendants that he wanted to “wake up” and that he was “not okay.” The other pilots quickly reacted to his erratic behavior, leading to an inflight emergency declaration. After a brief physical struggle, flight crew members successfully restrained him.
Consequences and Current Situation
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration revoked Emerson’s pilot and medical certificates, leading to his termination from Alaska Airlines. He has also liquidated retirement accounts to pay nearly $60,000 in restitution. Currently, Emerson is working part-time and attending school to become a substance abuse counselor.
Ongoing Support and Recovery
Emerson has maintained sobriety for two years and actively participates in community service. He is also involved in a nonprofit he co-founded, which focuses on mental health advocacy for pilots. His lawyer argues that Emerson has faced significant repercussions and urges the court to consider this during sentencing.
Final Recommendations
A federal pre-sentence officer has suggested six months of home detention, although Emerson’s defense attorney believes that this would only add administrative costs without additional benefits. Given Emerson’s commitment to recovery and community service, his attorney argues that he should be allowed to continue his recovery journey.
The court proceedings are set to unfold in Portland, where Judge Amy Baggio will ultimately determine the consequences for Emerson’s actions that endangered the lives of 83 individuals on board.
