Joseph David Emerson said he had experimented with psychedelic mushrooms recently, court document shows
An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut the engines on a regional jet mid-flight on Sunday told police after his arrest that he believed he was having a nervous breakdown, thought he was dreaming when he pulled fire handles in the cockpit, and that he had experimented with psychedelic mushrooms recently as his mental health worsened, according to a federal complaint made public Tuesday.
A federal charge of interfering with a flight crew made public Tuesday said Emerson, who as an off-duty pilot was authorized to ride in the cockpit’s jump seat, made casual conversation with the captain and first officer when the plane was between Astoria, Oregon, and Portland, before trying to grab two red handles that would have activated the plane’s fire suppression system and cut off fuel to its engines.
The Associated Press has been unable to contact Emerson’s family or others who might speak on his behalf. Court records did not indicate if he has obtained a lawyer. Emerson walked calmly to the back of the plane after being told to leave the cockpit and told a flight attendant: “You need to cuff me right now or it’s going to be bad,” the affidavit said. Another flight attendant heard him saying, “I messed everything up” and “tried to kill everybody”.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Off-duty pilot accused of trying to shut down jet’s engines in mid-flightJoseph David Emerson was being held on 83 counts each of attempted murder and reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft after the incident.
Read more »
Off-duty pilot accused of trying to shut down jet’s engines in mid-flightJoseph David Emerson was being held on 83 counts each of attempted murder and reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft after the incident.
Read more »
Off-duty pilot accused of trying to shut down jet’s engines in mid-flightJoseph David Emerson was being held on 83 counts each of attempted murder and reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft after the incident.
Read more »
Off-duty pilot tries to shut down Horizon Air airplane engines mid-flight, charged with attempted murderJoseph David Emerson, 44, faces 83 counts each of attempted murder and reckless endangerment after the incident.
Read more »
Planet Earth III review – David Attenborough creates yet more majestic TVThis awe-inspiring series has a scale that is simply spectacular. It is possible to watch and enjoy it purely for the astonishing footage – but it will horrify you too
Read more »
Holding the Note by David Remnick review – erudite portraits of musical greatsA collection of the New Yorker editor’s pieces on the likes of Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and Aretha Franklin displays enviable knowledge and scope
Read more »