Alaska Airlines Flight Diverts, Lands Safety at PDX

On 22 October 2023, Alaska Airlines Flight 2059—an Embraer E-175 regional jet operated by Alaska’s regional subsidiary, Horizon Air—diverted en route from its filed destination of California’s San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Oregon’s Portland International Airport (PDX) after Joseph David Emerson, 44, an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot traveling in the E-175’s flight-deck jump seat, allegedly attempted to purposefully shut-off both the jet’s engines.

The two Horizon Air pilots operating Flight 2059 succeeded in preventing Emerson from making a glider of the Embraer jet and, after reestablishing an orderly flight-deck, advised Portland Approach: “We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit. It doesn’t seem like he’s causing any issue at the back. I think he’s subdued. Other than that, we want law-enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked."

In a statement pertaining to the incident, the FBI’s Portland, Oregon field office set forth: One man is under arrest on state charges in Oregon, booked by the Port of Portland Police Department, after an incident in the air on Horizon Air flight 2059 from Everett, Washington to San Francisco, California. The airplane's pilot was able to safely land the plane at Portland International Airport around 18:25 PDT on Sunday, 22 October. No injuries were reported. The FBI is investigating and can assure the traveling public there is no continuing threat related to this incident."

Online jail records show Joseph David Emerson, 44, was arrested by Port of Portland Police and booked into Multnomah County Jail shortly after 04:00 PDT on the morning of 23 October. Emerson is currently being held on no fewer than 167 counts, including 83 counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of endangering an aircraft.

In a 23 October statement germane to Flight 2059, Alaska Airlines conceded: “On 22 October, Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 operated by Horizon Air from Everett, Washington's Paine Field (PAE) to San Francisco, California’s San Francisco International Airport (SFO) reported a credible security threat related to an authorized occupant in the flight deck jump seat. No weapons were involved, and the crew was able to secure the cabin without incident. Following appropriate FAA procedures and guidance from air traffic control, the flight safely diverted to Portland International Airport (PDX). The incident is being investigated by law enforcement authorities. All passengers on-board were re-accommodated on a later flight with a new crew and new aircraft. We recognize how concerning this incident must have been and we are deeply grateful to our crew for everyone’s professionalism throughout this experience.”

The statement continued: “This is an active investigation. We will share details as we are able. In the meantime, we ask that you respect the privacy of the crew involved and do not share crew lists or contact those involved.”

While the FBI’s investigation of the incident remains in its nascency, no evidence linking Emerson to terrorism has yet been discovered.

FMI: www.alaskaair.com