Ex-Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to shut engines of mid-air flight released by US judge

A United States judge has released the former Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to cut off the engines while travelling off-duty in an extra cockpit seat.

The pilot named Joseph Emerson was subdued by the crew when he tried to cut off the engines of Horizon Air flight from Everett, Washington to San Francisco on October 22, 2023.

The flight had 80 people on board and it was successfully diverted to Portland where it landed safely.

Emerson told police that he didn’t sleep for 40 hours after the friend’s recent death. He said he thinks he might be dreaming and trying to wake up by holding on to two red handles.

The red handles would have activated the plane’s fire suppression system, cutting off fuel to its engines.

Before the announcement of the verdict, Emerson apologised for his actions, adding, “I can tell you that this very tragic event has forced me to grow as an individual.”

U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio said that pilots are not perfect and they are also humans, adding, “They are people and all people need help sometimes.”

She sentenced the pilot to the time already served and supervised release for three years, putting an end to the case that brought attention to the need for more mental health support for pilots.