Off-duty pilot Joseph D. Emerson of Alaska Airlines made headlines recently after attempting to disable a plane’s engines mid-flight. According to court records obtained by CNN, Emerson claimed that he believed he was dreaming and had consumed “magic mushrooms” 48 hours prior to the incident.
Emerson had allegedly tried to cut fuel to the plane’s engines while en route from Washington state to San Francisco. Thankfully, the quick actions of the aircraft’s captain and first officer prevented a complete engine failure, the airline stated. Emerson told investigators that he had consumed “magic mushrooms” and had been awake for the last 40 hours.
During the incident, Emerson was riding in the cockpit in a jump seat, as is allowed for off-duty pilots. A confrontation ensued as Emerson reached for the fire controls. According to court documents, one of the pilots grabbed Emerson’s wrists, and they wrestled for a few seconds before Emerson stopped and claimed he was okay. The pilots intervened and prevented him from pulling the handles all the way down.
Emerson cited depression and the recent death of a friend as factors contributing to his actions. According to a federal criminal complaint, he mentioned having a nervous breakdown and requested to be subdued by the flight crew. The authorities have charged Emerson in federal court with interfering with a flight crew.
It is unlikely that psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in “magic mushrooms,” would still be in the pilot’s system after 48 hours, but the lingering effects of the drug could have influenced his behavior, according to experts. Combined with existing depression and sleep deprivation, the use of psilocybin might have created a “perfect storm” that affected Emerson’s behavior and led to derealization, a feeling of detachment from one’s surroundings.
Emerson now faces numerous state charges, including attempted murder, reckless endangerment, and endangering an aircraft. He pleaded not guilty to all state charges and is being held without bail.
Authorities believe the incident was not an act of terrorism or politically motivated violence, but rather a result of a mental health episode. They are preparing for a psychological evaluation of the defendant.
Alaska Airlines Flight 2059, operated by regional carrier Horizon Air, reported a security threat related to Emerson while in-flight. Emerson had attempted to shut down the plane’s engines before the crew successfully reset the handles, preventing a complete engine failure. The flight diverted to Portland, Oregon, where Emerson was taken into custody.
Passengers on the flight described a calm environment maintained by the airline crew during the incident. No injuries were reported, and all passengers were later able to continue their journey to San Francisco with a new crew and aircraft. Alaska Airlines is reaching out to each passenger individually to discuss their experience and well-being.
