In-flight drama detailed in federal complaint against PH pilot who faces 20 years in prison

PLEASANT HILL, CA (Oct. 24, 2023) — More details have emerged into what was unfolding on a Horizon Air jet bound for San Francisco on Sunday when an off-duty pilot from Pleasant Hill put the lives of more than 80 passengers and crew at risk. He attempted to not only shut down the aircraft’s engines but also open an emergency exit.

Joseph David Emerson, 44, of Pleasant Hill, California, is now also charged with one federal count of interfering with flight crew member. He faces up to 20 years in prison. He  may go before a judge as early as Thursday.

Emerson told investigating officers about using psychedelic mushrooms for the first time before the incident. He said that he had became depressed approximately six months prior. In addition, he said that he had not slept for 40 hours before the flight.

He claimed that he believed he was having a “nervous breakdown.” A flight attendant heard him utter “I messed everything up” and that “he tried to kill everybody,” according to the lengthy affidavit accompanying the complaint.

“I am not okay”

His erratic episode aboard Flight 2059 from Everett, Washington, which had to be diverted to Portland, started unfolding about halfway between Astoria, Oregon, and Portland. Emerson was riding in the regional aircraft’s cockpit jump seat. After engaging in casual conversation with the pilots, that included the weather, he threw his headset across the cockpit and declared “I am not okay.”

At this point he reached up and grabbed red fire handles, trying to pull them down. Interviewing police officer were advised that pulling the red fire handles would have activated the aircraft fire suppression system. This system is used to extinguish aircraft engine fires and would shut off the fuel supply to the engines.

“Yah…I pulled both emergency shut off handles because I thought I was dreaming and I just wanna wake up,” Emerson told officers.

One pilot wrestled with Emerson about 30 seconds. The pilot grabbed Emerson’s wrist while the other pilot declared an inflight emergency. Within 90 seconds, Emerson reportedly had settled down to the point that the crew was able to direct him off the flight deck. The pilots then re-secured the area and reset the fire handles so that the engine did not lose power.

“Losing it”

Flight attendants received a call from the cockpit advising them that Emerson was “losing it.” They observed Emerson peacefully walking to the back of the aircraft. At this point, though, he reportedly told them, “you need to cuff me right now or it’s going to be bad.”

It was during the flight’s decent into Portland when flight attendants were restraining Emerson and engaging him in conversation to distract him that he was trying to grab the emergency exit handle. A flight attendant also noticed him taking out his cellular phone and appearing to be texting on the phone.

Emerson was heard saying he had just put 84 peoples‘  lives at risk tonight including his own, according to the complaint’s affidavit.

Removed from service

Horizon Air hired Emerson in 2001. He was later employed by Virgin America and Alaska Airlines. He has now been removed from service indefinitely and relieved from all duties at Alaska Airlines. His next scheduled assignment would have been Oct. 26.

“Consistent with our pilot’s collective bargaining agreement, we are consulting with our partners in labor regarding his employment status,” according to an airline spokesperson.

The Horizon crew who thwarted inflight disturbance recounted the series of in-air events to responding officers and FBI agents after the aircraft was safely brought in for a landing to Portland.

After landing in Portland, Police arrested Emerson without further incident. They booked him into the Multnomah County Detention Center on 83 state felony charges of attempted murder, 83 misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment. He also received one felony count of reckless endangerment of an aircraft.

In custody

While in custody and in front of officers, Emerson was asked if he could waive his right to an attorney.

“I’m admitting to what I did. I’m not fighting any charges you want to bring against me, guys,” he responded, according to the complaint.

He explained that he felt dehydrated and tired as sat on the flight deck and spoke with the pilots.

“I didn’t feel okay. It seemed like the pilots weren’t paying attention to what was going on. They didn’t…it didn’t seem right,” Emerson told officers.

Emerson appeared in court Tuesday for arraignment on the state charges where a federal hold also was ordered and he remains in custody of Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office at the Detention Center as this matter proceeds.