Pilot Jailed for Trying to Shut Off Engine Midflight

Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 was en route to San Francisco from Everett, Washington when it was diverted to Portland, Oregon for a bizarre reason. Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson, 43, was traveling in the flight deck's jump seat — a common occurrence when pilots are commuting between airports — when he attempted to shut off the plane's fuel.

Off-Duty Pilot Has Nervous Breakdown

According to CNN, Emerson allegedly told the pilots, "I’m not ok," just before reaching up and grabbing the fire suppression system's large T-shaped handle. The fire suppression system works by shutting off fuel to the engine. Luckily, the pilots reacted quickly and were able to get the fuel flowing again before the engines shut off.

Flight Diverted to Portland

The pilots wrestled Emerson away from the handle and out of the cockpit. The action lasted about 90 seconds before Emerson was escorted to the back of the plane peacefully. According to CNN, Emerson allegedly told one of the flight attendants to cuff him or else it was "going to be bad." After being restrained and while the plane was descending towards Portland, Emerson tried to grab the handle of an emergency exit but was stopped by a flight attendant.

Passengers Reflect

Passengers who were interviewed about the flight hardly knew that something was wrong. Passenger Aubrey Gavello told CNN, "We didn't know where we were landing, and we didn't know what was wrong. But (the flight attendant) assured us we were safe." Another passenger, Alex Wood, told CNN that he was seated right by the cockpit yet, "Nothing was loud enough, nothing was rambunctious enough to wake me up." Gavello and Woods didn't realize how serious the situation was until they saw headlines about the fuel being cut off the next morning.

Alaska Airlines Pilot Indicted on 84 Charges

Emerson was indicted on 84 charges including 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft. Emerson's legal defense argued that he had suffered a panic attack in flight and was in a dream-like state unaware of his actions. According to ABC, it was also disclosed that Emerson had tried magic mushrooms for the first time two days prior to the incident. Allegedly, Emerson had also not slept in 40 hours, had recently lost a close friend, and had no intention of harming anyone. He simply wanted to go home and return to his family.

The judge released Emerson from the Multnomah County jail on the conditions that he not possess or use any controlled substances, he must not be within 30 feet of any operable aircraft, and he must receive mental health counseling.

References: Off-duty pilot accused of trying to shut off plane's engines mid-flight said he was having a nervous breakdown, federal complaint shows | Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot indicted for trying to shut off engines mid-flight, avoids attempted murder counts | Ex-pilot Joseph Emerson released from jail, allowed to return home to Bay Area