A 44-Year-Old Off-Duty Pilot Arrested on 160+ Charges for Attempting to Disrupt Plane's Engines Midflight

Dec 20, 2023, 12:00 PM

A 44-year-old off-duty pilot was apprehended on more than 160 charges following his alleged attempt to disrupt the plane's engines midflight, raising genuine security concerns.

 The incident unfolded on Sunday, October 22, aboard a Horizon Airlines flight operated by Alaska Airlines, en route from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco. Authorities received reports of a credible security threat involving an off-duty pilot occupying a flight deck jump seat.
 
 Identified as Joseph Emerson by KOIN-TV, the off-duty pilot purportedly made an unsuccessful attempt to interfere with the engine's operation. The aircraft's captain and first officer successfully thwarted Emerson's efforts, and Alaska Airlines confirmed that the plane never lost engine power, with the crew securing the aircraft without any further incident.
 
 To address the situation, air traffic control redirected the flight, leading to an emergency landing at Portland International Airport, where Emerson was apprehended. Multnomah County Jail records indicate that Emerson faces a total of 83 counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of endangering an aircraft.
 
 Alaska Airlines reassured passengers that they were accommodated on a subsequent flight without any disruptions.
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