Joseph Emerson, a former Alaska Airlines pilot, pleaded guilty on Friday in federal court for attempting to shut down the engines of a passenger plane mid-flight. The incident, which occurred in October 2023, caused an in-flight emergency but was prevented from becoming a disaster thanks to the quick actions of the flight crew.
Emerson, 46, reached plea agreements in both his federal and state cases in Oregon. He admitted to interfering with flight crew members and attendants during the flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco. According to court documents, Emerson revealed that he had used psilocybin mushrooms two days before the flight and was still experiencing their aftereffects during the incident.
In his plea statement, Emerson said he felt as if he was dreaming and tried to “wake up” by pulling the aircraft’s dual engine fire extinguisher handles, which would have shut down the engines if fully engaged. The flight crew physically stopped him, preventing the shutdown and safely landing the plane in Portland.
Emerson faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for November 17.
In the state case, Emerson pleaded no contest to 83 counts of recklessly endangering others and one felony count of endangering an aircraft. Initially charged with attempted murder, a Multnomah County grand jury reduced the charges. He was sentenced to 50 days in jail (already served), five years probation, over 600 hours of community service, and ordered to pay more than $60,000 in restitution to Alaska Airlines.
During sentencing, Judge Cheryl Albrecht acknowledged Emerson’s efforts to raise awareness about the pressures pilots face. Emerson expressed regret for the harm caused to passengers, crew, and the aviation profession and thanked the flight crew for saving his life. He also shared that he has sought help for alcohol abuse and now aims to be a better father.
Two passengers who testified before the court expressed ongoing anxiety from the incident. While one called the plea deal insufficient, another supported Emerson using community service to educate others on the risks of psychedelics. Emerson welcomed the opportunity to speak publicly, particularly to pilots facing similar struggles.
Following the hearing, Deputy District Attorney Eric Pickard emphasized that the sentence holds Emerson accountable for betraying his duty as a pilot.
Emerson has described the event as the worst 30 seconds of his life and has accepted full responsibility for his actions, hoping that the judicial process considers the broader context of his experience.
