Emerson Had Taken Mushrooms and Was Suffering With Depression During the Flight

A former Alaska Airlines pilot pleaded guilty in federal court after a combination of psychedelic mushrooms and mental health struggles put the lives of 80 passengers at stake. His attempt to cut the engines of an Embraer 175 at 31,000 feet in 2023 has already earned him 50 days in jail, five years on probation, 664 hours of community service, and $60,659 in restitution.

The incident took place on Alaska Airlines Flight 2059, service from Washington’s Paine Field (PAE) to San Fransico International (SFO), on October 22, 2023. Tenured pilot Joseph David Emerson was in the jumpseat, where he reportedly told the flight crew “I’m not okay” before moving for the engine fire suppression handles. If the pilots hadn’t reacted quickly, this action would have shut down both engines, leaving the Embraer 175 powerless at 31,000 feet.

Emerson was removed from the cockpit, told flight attendants to handcuff him, and later tried to grab an emergency exit handle during descent into Oregon, where the aircraft diverted safely.

Emerson entered pleas in both state and federal courts, admitting to being on mushrooms and struggling with depression while acknowledging that this “doesn’t make this right.” In the Oregon state court, he pleaded no contest to reckless endangerment and first-degree endangering an aircraft, earning him 50 days in jail, five years of probation, eight hours of community service for each of the 84 people on board (664 hours total), and $60,659 in restitution.

His 50 days are up, and he has now pleaded guilty to related charges in federal court. Prosecutors are expected to seek a one-year prison term, while Emerson’s defense attorneys have signaled they will push for no additional jail time.

"What Joseph Emerson did was reckless, selfish, and criminal," Multnomah County, Oregon, Deputy District Attorney Eric Pickard said. "We should remember how close he came to ruining the lives of not just the 84 people aboard Flight 2059, but all of their family members and friends as well."

Since the incident, Emerson has spoken about his recovery, saying the ordeal forced him to confront his reliance on alcohol and untreated depression. He co-founded a nonprofit, Clear Skies Ahead, with his wife to support pilot mental health, and may complete part of his community service through the group. His federal sentencing is scheduled for November 17.

FMI: www.alaskaair.com