In a bizarre turn of events, an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot has been accused of attempting to shut down the engines of an airborne plane after taking magic mushrooms. Joseph Emerson, 44, who had never taken psychedelics before, claimed in a jailhouse interview that he thought he was dreaming and wondered if he was in hell after taking the magic mushrooms around a campfire just two days before the incident.
Emerson expressed that the psychedelic experience made him dwell on traumatic events from his past and led him to question if he was dead or in hell. On October 22, while off duty, he allegedly tried to shut down the plane’s engines by activating a fire suppression system while sitting in the jump seat of the cockpit.
Claiming he thought he was dreaming and wanted to wake up, Emerson also told a police officer and The New York Times that he believed the plane would crash, and he would wake up. He later revealed that he had been depressed and believed he was experiencing a mental breakdown.
The diverted Alaska Airlines flight, operated by Horizon Air and traveling from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, ultimately landed in Portland. Emerson is currently being held without bail at the Multnomah County Detention Center, facing charges of attempted murder and interfering with a flight crew, among others. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
Emerson’s attorney has emphasized that he would never intentionally harm another person, stating that Emerson was not under the influence when he boarded the flight. Despite the unusual and concerning nature of the incident, no one was injured. This shocking story first appeared on NBCNews.com and has since captured widespread attention.
