The off-duty US pilot who allegedly attempted to shut down the engines of a plane mid-air has claimed that he had consumed magic mushrooms and believed he was experiencing a nervous breakdown, according to court documents.
Pilots successfully restrained Joseph Emerson after he reportedly made a move towards the controls that would have cut off fuel to the engines, effectively turning the aircraft into a glider.
Emerson, who admitted to being sleep-deprived for 40 hours, also tried to open an emergency exit at the back of the plane but was restrained by the cabin crew during an emergency landing.
In a statement to the police, Emerson said, “I pulled both emergency shutoff handles because I thought I was dreaming and I just want to wake up.”
Emerson and the investigating officer discussed his use of psychedelic mushrooms, clarifying that it was his first time trying them.
The 44-year-old was arrested on Sunday evening when the Alaska Airlines flight made an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon.
Emerson had boarded the Horizon Air-operated flight as a non-working staff member, sitting in the jump seat of the cockpit, in accordance with airline policy.
During the journey, after conversing with the pilots, “Emerson attempted to grab and pull two red fire handles that would have activated the plane’s emergency fire suppression system and cut off fuel to its engines,” stated the Department of Justice.
“After a brief physical struggle with the pilots, Emerson exited the cockpit.”
Alaska Airlines confirmed that the pilots quickly responded by reversing the handles and safely landed the aircraft.
“During the flight’s descent, Emerson tried to grab the handle of an emergency exit. A flight attendant stopped him by placing her hands on top of his,” added the Department of Justice.
“Flight attendants placed Emerson in wrist restraints and seated him in the rear of the aircraft.”
The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon has charged Emerson with interfering with flight crew members and attendants.
Furthermore, he faces 83 counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of endangering an aircraft in Oregon.
Media reports indicate that Emerson pleaded not guilty to these charges during a brief court appearance in Portland on Tuesday.
Live ATC, an archive of pilot and air traffic controller conversations, released an audio recording capturing the moments after the incident.
“We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit,” said the pilot. “And he doesn’t sound like he’s causing any issue in the back right now.
“I think he’s subdued. Other than that, yeah, we want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked,” the pilot added.
Alaska Airlines stated on Tuesday that Emerson has been “removed from service indefinitely and relieved from all duties.”
