Alaska Airlines pilot charged in federal court after alleged attempt to shut down plane engines, grab emergency exit handle
An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot was charged in federal court after allegedly attempting to shut down an in-flight plane's engines on Sunday, the Justice Department said Tuesday. Joseph David…
Medianews Group
Off-duty
Alaska Airlines
Pilot charged with federal crimes after allegedly stealing a car
Shutting down the system
The Justice Department announced Tuesday that an engine of a plane was damaged on Sunday.
Joseph David Emerson (44), has been detained since Sunday, when an Alaska Airlines flight 2059 operated by Horizon Air, bound for San Francisco, was diverted to Portland International Airport. Emerson was allegedly in the jump seat at the cockpit when he allegedly tried to shut down engines by engaging the fire suppression system.
According to booking records of the Multnomah county Sheriff's office in Oregon, Emerson had been charged with 83 charges of attempted murder, and 83 charges of reckless endangerment, as well as a charge of endangering a plane.
The federal charge for allegedly interfering in the flight crew was a 20-year maximum sentence.
According to court documents, one of the pilots of the flight told investigators there were no signs of trouble early on in the flight.
Emerson is alleged to have said, "I am not okay" while sitting on the jump seat in the cockpit. According to court documents, the other pilot saw him reach out, grab, and pull down fire handle.
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