Off-Duty Pilot's Engine Shutoff Attempt Revealed in New Audio and Video

Incident Overview

• ✈️ New cockpit audio and surveillance video reveal the moments an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot, Joseph Emerson, attempted to shut off the engines of a passenger jet mid-flight.
• 🍄 Emerson was reportedly under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms he had taken two days prior to the October 2023 incident.
• 🚨 The flight, with 83 passengers and crew, made an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon.

Pilot's Actions and Statements

• 💥 While in the cockpit jump seat, Emerson pulled handles intended to cut off fuel in the event of a fire.
• 🗣️ He stated, "I'm not okay," and later claimed, "I wanted to wake up," believing the actions would rouse him from a dream-like state.
• 🚫 Emerson denied intending to crash the plane, stating, "I had no intention of crashing an actual airplane."

Legal Ramifications

• ⚖️ Joseph Emerson pleaded guilty to a federal charge of interfering with a flight crew.
• 📅 He was sentenced to three years of supervised release and received credit for 46 days already spent in jail.