Ex-Pilot Accused of Trying to Cut a Passenger Flight’s Engines Reaches Plea Deals, His Lawyer Says

Ex-Pilot Accused Of Trying To Cut Engines On Passenger Flight Agrees To Plea Deals

Former Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson told police after the incident that he had taken psychedelic mushrooms about two days earlier, and hadn’t slept in over 40 hours.

Joseph Emerson, ex-Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut flight's engines, pleads guilty in federal court

Joseph Emerson was subdued by the flight crew after trying to cut the engines of a Horizon Air flight from Washington state to San Francisco.

Ex-airline pilot pleads guilty to federal felony for trying to cut engines during flight over Oregon

Joseph Emerson, 46, was off-duty and riding in a cockpit jump seat when he pulled levers to cut the engines on a Horizon Air flight and later said he had taken magic mushrooms and was experiencing a mental health crisis.

Pleasant Hill pilot to plead guilty to attempting to crash flight while on mushrooms

"I’m not fighting any charges you want to bring against me, guys," Joseph Emerson allegedly told authorities after attempting to bring down a plane.

Ex-Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut a flight's engines pleads guilty

Joseph Emerson was riding in an extra seat in the cockpit of a Horizon Air flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco and was subdued by the crew.

Ex-pilot accused of trying to cut passenger flight’s engines above Portland pleads guilty, no contest

Former pilot Joseph Emerson reached separate plea deals in state and federal court after attempting to cut the engines on a flight, citing mental distress.