OR - Alaska Airlines flight diverted after off-duty pilot tries "to shut the engines down" in cockpit, audio reveals

[Inthedetails]

Been wanting to say: that's an interesting photo. moo


JUST IN: Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson is now charged in FEDERAL court with interfering with a flight crew. Docs say as he lunged for the engine fire handles, he said "I'm not okay."He told police he hadn't slept in 40 hours, was depressed, and admitted to "what I did."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1716889354780704868

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What's "interesting" about it? Clue me in! tia

jmo

 

[arielilane]

What’s scary is this guy is a pilot and could have easily done this while piloting a plane. Then it would have been harder to subdue him. If at all possible.

Agree. Could have been a nightmare. Thanks for the insightful post. Could have been so much worse. moo

 

[osu]

A flight attendant told responding officers that Emerson said he "tried to kill everybody," according to an FBI agent's affidavit, which was part of a criminal complaint filed Tuesday.

"I messed everything up," Emerson said, according to the court documents.

On the ground, Emerson told officers he thought he was having a "nervous breakdown" and that he hadn't slept in 40 hours, according to the court documents. He said he became depressed about six months ago, but didn't take any medication.

Emerson and an officer talked about psychedelic mushrooms, and, according to the documents, Emerson said he had taken them for the first time, but it was not clear if that meant he was under the influence of the drug while on the plane or if he had tried them sometime earlier in the previous six months.

[snip]

Alaska Airlines off-duty pilot Joseph Emerson reached for emergency exit after trying to shut off engines, prosecutors say

Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson caused a San Francisco-bound flight to make an emergency diversion to Oregon, authorities said.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[arielilane]

What's "interesting" about it? Clue me in! tia

jmo

It's hard to put in words (I'll try) because it's a rather innocent photo, but it doesn't feel right for me (imo). It's that "smile" ... it's those eyes looking right through you.

It could just be me. Thanks for asking.

 

[Dotta]

What's "interesting" about it? Clue me in! tia

jmo

This question was not directed at me but...
IMO
The smile is fake.
It looks like a grimace.
His eyes are anxious.

 

[Inthedetails]

It's hard to put in words (I'll try) because it's a rather innocent photo, but it doesn't feel right for me (imo). It's that "smile" ... it's those eyes looking right through you.

It could just be me. Thanks for asking.

Okay, I hear ya. I thought there was something in the photo that was "telling" (like a mushroom, lol!) and I couldn't find it.

jmo

 

[ifindedout]

So when he took his little trip, when did he expect he would come down from it, and did he really expect to be A-OK as PIC for his next flight?

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

forgive me for not going back to re-read the first articles, but was he in the jump seat because he had to get to where his next flight he was to pilot was departing? Was he slated to fly after this?

He admitted he tried to kill everyone but will still enter a NG plea I'd imagine, once his attys get to him.

 

[Chimera]

'I'm not okay:' Pleasant Hill pilot charged with attempted murder admits to nervous breakdown

In a stunning acknowledgment, the Pleasant Hill pilot charged with trying to shut off a plane's engines told authorities that he felt like he was suffering a nervous breakdown and was not OK.

www.ktvu.com

"Yah…I pulled both emergency shut off handles because I thought I was dreaming and I just wanna wake up," Joseph David Emerson said, according to the federal affidavit filed Tuesday against him in U.S. District Court in Oregon. "I'm admitting to what I did. I'm not fighting any charges you want to bring against me, guys."

In court documents also filed Tuesday by the Multnomah County District Attorney in Oregon, Emerson clarified that he had taken the mushrooms 48 hours before boarding the plane. The effects of mushrooms wear off in roughly 24 hours, experts say.

It's hard to know exactly what Emerson was thinking, but he was heard saying to some flight attendants: "You need to cuff me right now or it's going to be bad."

Flight attendants put handcuffs on Emerson's wrists.

Upon descent, Emerson turned toward an emergency exit and tried to grab the door handle, but a flight attendant stopped him.

Another flight attendant heard Emerson saying, "I messed everything up," admitting that he "tried to kill everybody."


The DA there charged Emerson with 167 counts, including 83 of attempted murder – one for each passenger, 11 of whom were 14 years old or younger.

Bbm.
Oh my goodness.
That's really going to influence his case in a bad way.
I think he needs locking up.
Maybe a mental hospital.
But if he's exaggerating his mushroom-taking and lack of sleep, could it be he wanted to actually kill people and now has to attempt to 'walk it back' ?
Omo.

 

[Chimera]

forgive me for not going back to re-read the first articles, but was he in the jump seat because he had to get to where his next flight he was to pilot was departing? Was he slated to fly after this?

He admitted he tried to kill everyone but will still enter a NG plea I'd imagine, once his attys get to him.

I tried to reread articles but haven't found out yet about why he was in the jump seat, but I'm assuming either to get to a destination, or he was slated to fly the next leg of the flight ?

Omo.

 

[arielilane]

Full story now on http://CNN.com has the latest statement from Alaska Airlines, which says Joseph Emerson pulled the E175's engine fire extinguisher t-handles. The captain and first officer quickly reset the handles, preventing engine failure.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1716584908594860135

CNN —
An off-duty pilot riding as a passenger in the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight Sunday tried to “disrupt the operation of the engines,” forcing the flight en route to San Francisco to divert to Portland, Oregon, the airline said in a statement Monday.

The suspect, identified by police as Joseph D. Emerson, 44, was subdued by the flight crew and taken into custody by the Port of Portland police officers, the port said in a separate statement.

Online booking records show Emerson has been charged with 83 felony counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft.

After taking off from Paine Field Airport in Everett, Washington, Flight 2059 – one operated by Horizon Air, a regional carrier owned by Alaska Airlines – reported a “credible security threat related to an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who was traveling in the flight deck jump seat,” the airline’s statement said.

Pilots will occasionally ride a cockpit “jump seat” when traveling in an official capacity or commuting to another airport.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/23/us/alaska-airlines-passenger/index.html

Updated 10:31 PM EDT, Mon October 23, 2023

 

[jash]

forgive me for not going back to re-read the first articles, but was he in the jump seat because he had to get to where his next flight he was to pilot was departing? Was he slated to fly after this?

He admitted he tried to kill everyone but will still enter a NG plea I'd imagine, once his attys get to him.

I think he was heading home. He lives in Pleasant Hill, CA and the flight he was on was going to San Francisco.

 

[Inthedetails]

Bbm.
Oh my goodness.
That's really going to influence his case in a bad way.
I think he needs locking up.
Maybe a mental hospital.
But if he's exaggerating his mushroom-taking and lack of sleep, could it be he wanted to actually kill people and now has to attempt to 'walk it back' ?
Omo.

Exactly. Either way, he's messed up. But I'm a bit skeptical of the story and wonder if he concocted the whole thing so he could walk away from his life - sort of a "suicide" by incarceration. He can stop being a responsible adult and just follow rules in a prison for the rest of his life - rather than being seen as a loser who tanks his career and walks away from his family.

I really don't know. Maybe the surface story is true or maybe he planned it or maybe it's all one big jumble.

jmo

 

[Chimera]

--- Four minute video. What they were describing is an attempt hijacking of the airplane.

An off-duty pilot tried to take control of Alaska Airlines flight​

An off-duty pilot riding as a passenger in the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight tried to seize control of a plane headed from Seattle to San Francisco on Sunday, the airline and a source familiar with the matter said. CNN's Pete Muntean reports.

Could JE be charged with hijacking as well ?

 

[vls12345]

forgive me for not going back to re-read the first articles, but was he in the jump seat because he had to get to where his next flight he was to pilot was departing? Was he slated to fly after this?

"Emerson was scheduled to be on a flight crew of a 737 leaving San Francisco, according to a federal official."

Pilot who allegedly tried to shut off engines hadn't slept in 40 hours: Authorities

The off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot facing attempted murder charges allegedly tried to shut down the engines "by engaging the Engine Fire Handle."

www.google.com

 

[Chimera]

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12663463/Alaska-Airlines-pilot-fantastic-father-Joseph-Emerson-attempted-murder-plane-engine.html

Stunned neighbors of Alaska Airlines pilot and 'fantastic father' Joseph Emerson come out in support of him.​

Nobody answered the door of his $1.2 million, four bedroom home on Monday.​

How sad for his family .
I wish the media would leave them alone !

He has destroyed them in the worst way.

My .02;If I were the neighbors ... I'd wait for a while into this investigation before coming out in JE's support; but they are prob. remembering the man they thought they knew, so there's that ?
Omo.

 

[gitana1]

Federal Regulations require 10 hours scheduled rest before and after each regularly assigned period. If Emerson was scheduled to fly his own route after landing SFO, he most likely spent Saturday night in Seattle (i.e., away from his CA home).

World news has been very stressful in the past weeks -- nobody knows what might trigger an impulsive act. While the cockpit would not be unfamiliar to Emerson, the ERJ 175 aircraft was not one he held a certification to fly.

IMO, I think this event came about quickly. The total flight duration from Everett, WA to Portland, OR is about 46 minutes, and Portland was probably the closest airport to make the emergency landing.

I'm reminded of a concert pianist doing his breakfast dishes when he unexpectedly sticks his hand in the sink disposal without any warning-- an impulsive act. Months later the pianist recalls he dreamed of his late grandmother the night before (his most admiring fan), who had passed 15 years earlier. It was as if the life he spent protecting his hands passed before his eyes-- but he had no memory of shoving his hand down the drain. He had no history or previous mental health episodes.

We can ask what did 15 years trigger versus 3, 5, or 9 years? Nobody really knows other than the concert pianist could never perform again. Nor will Emerson ever fly an aircraft again.

I wish the former pilot and his family stability, support, and patience during his recovery (and prosecution). MOO

That is scary. How could something like that occur so suddenly with no warning!

 

[Soulmagent]

"Emerson was scheduled to be on a flight crew of a 737 leaving San Francisco, according to a federal official."

Pilot who allegedly tried to shut off engines hadn't slept in 40 hours: Authorities

The off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot facing attempted murder charges allegedly tried to shut down the engines "by engaging the Engine Fire Handle."

www.google.com

So I guess he didnt really want to make that flight?
This the worse case (and i mean scariest) of routine work day adversion I have ever saw. I am kinda low key wondering if he just couldnt bring himself into work that day.
So desperate to get out of going to do the assignment ,he pulls this crap?

 

[gitana1]

Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to shut engines had "soul-chilling" look, passenger says

Veteran pilot Joseph Emerson, 44, was charged with more than 80 counts of attempted murder after, authorities said, he tried to cut the plane's engines during the flight.

www.nbcnews.com

This was an unexpected reason for his actions

The off-duty pilot accused of trying to bring down an Alaska Airlines flight told investigators he had not slept for 40 hours and believed he was having a "nervous breakdown," and also admitted to the use of psychedelic mushrooms, according to a federal complaint filed Tuesday.

If this guy knew he had been depressed and actually took mushrooms prior to travel, he’s accountable for what he did. I mean perhaps it isn’t attempted murder because he didn’t think he was killing people, but I doubt reckless endangerment includes much of a penalty. And there has to be one for someone with that much authority and responsibility.

 

[Seattle1]

If this guy knew he had been depressed and actually took mushrooms prior to travel, he’s accountable for what he did. I mean perhaps it isn’t attempted murder because he didn’t think he was killing people, but I doubt reckless endangerment includes much of a penalty. And there has to be one for someone with that much authority and responsibility.

Well, there you have it. He attempted to self-medicate and he doesn't have that option in his line of work. He's lost his career at only age 44.

If not for the full flight, he may not have been inside the cockpit and I guess we will never know if he planned to get behind the controls of his flight on Sunday evening departing from SFO.

Regardless, he's done and the skies are safe again-- until the next one.