Off-duty pilot charged of trying to crash Alaska Airlines jet cites breakdown

Off-duty pilot charged with trying to crash Alaska Airlines jet cites breakdown.
Joseph David Emerson had consumed psychedelic mushrooms and was dealing with depression.

The incident was not linked to current world events in any way.

An off-duty pilot who allegedly attempted to crash an Alaska Airlines jet claimed he believed he was experiencing a nervous breakdown.

Joseph David Emerson also revealed to police that he had consumed psychedelic mushrooms and was dealing with depression. Mr. Emerson entered a not-guilty plea to 83 counts of attempted murder in an Oregon court on Tuesday.

Mr. Emerson was seated in the cockpit behind the captain during the alleged incident on the flight. He reportedly informed the pilots that he was not feeling okay and then reached for the shutoff handles, as indicated in the documents.

This action would have activated a fire suppression system designed to extinguish engine fires, potentially cutting off the fuel supply had he succeeded.

The criminal complaint states that one of the pilots had to physically grapple with Mr. Emerson until he ceased resisting and was subsequently removed from the cockpit.

The entire episode lasted approximately 90 seconds. Following his restraint, Mr. Emerson reportedly told flight attendants that they needed to restrain him with handcuffs immediately, or the situation would worsen.

During the plane’s descent, he made an attempt to reach for the emergency exit handle later. One flight attendant claimed to have heard Mr. Emerson say that he “messed everything up” and that he had “tried to kill everybody.”

In his interview with the police, Mr. Emerson stated that he had suffered a “nervous breakdown” and had not slept for 40 hours.

He confessed to pulling both emergency shutoff handles because he believed he was in a dream and wanted to wake up. He expressed concern that the pilots were not paying proper attention to the situation and that something felt amiss.

He also acknowledged his responsibility for his actions and expressed a lack of intent to contest any charges.

A spokesperson for the United States Attorney’s Office noted that an investigation was ongoing to determine whether Mr. Emerson had been under the influence of a psychedelic substance at the time.

Mr. Emerson faces 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft in addition to the attempted murder charges.

The flight, with 80 passengers on board, was en route from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, California, but was diverted to Portland, Oregon.

One of the pilots reported having the individual who had attempted to shut down the engines removed from the cockpit and indicated that the situation appeared to be under control in recorded air traffic control communication. The pilot requested police presence upon landing.

Passengers on the flight were reportedly unaware of the situation until a flight attendant announced the need for an immediate landing, citing a medical emergency.

The FBI has confirmed its investigation into the incident and assured the public that there is no ongoing threat related to the episode.

The Federal Aviation Administration also clarified that the incident was not linked to current world events in any way, as stated in guidance provided to U.S. air carriers.

To stay informed about current events, please like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BOLUrduNews/.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://bit.ly/3Tv8a3P to watch news from Pakistan and around the world.

Off-duty pilot charged of trying to crash Alaska Airlines jet cites breakdown

Web Desk

Articles