Alaska Airlines says pilot arrested after attempting to stop engines midflightBy Christopher Bjorke – Digital Producer/Associate Editor, Portland Business Journal Oct 23, 2023
An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot was arrested at the Port of Portland Monday after the airline says he attempted to shut down a plane’s engines during a flight between Everett and San Francisco.
Joseph Emerson, 44, faces 83 counts of attempted murder and reckless endangerment and endangering an aircraft, Business Journal media partner KGW-TV reported.
Alaska Airlines said a pilot traveling in the jump seat of the plane’s flight deck “unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the operation of the engines.” The pilot and first officer subdued the man and diverted the flight to Portland International Airport.
Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 was operated by Horizon Air.
“We are grateful for the professional handling of the situation by the Horizon flight crew and appreciate our guests’ calm and patience throughout this event,” Alaska Airlines said.
Here is Alaska’s full statement on the incident, posted on its website Monday morning.
On Oct. 22, Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 operated by Horizon Air from Everett, WA (PAE) to San Francisco, CA (SFO) reported a credible security threat related to an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who was traveling in the flight deck jump seat. The jump seat occupant unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the operation of the engines. The Horizon Captain and First Officer quickly responded, engine power was not lost and the crew secured the aircraft without incident.
Following appropriate FAA procedures and guidance from Air Traffic Control, the flight was safely diverted to Portland International Airport. The jump seat occupant is currently in custody and the event is being investigated by law enforcement authorities, which includes the FBI and the Port of Portland Police Department.
All passengers on board were able to travel on a later flight. We are grateful for the professional handling of the situation by the Horizon flight crew and appreciate our guests’ calm and patience throughout this event.