A former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to shut down a plane’s engines while riding in the cockpit has been sentenced to time served, along with three years of supervised release — meaning he will not return to jail.
On Monday, Nov. 17, U.S. District Court Judge Amy Baggio delivered the ruling for Joseph David Emerson, according to the Associated Press.
The incident occurred on Oct. 22, 2023, when Emerson, who was off duty at the time, was riding in the cockpit jump seat on Horizon Air Flight 2059, traveling from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco with more than 80 passengers and crew on board. He allegedly attempted to disable the engines mid-flight, forcing the aircraft to divert to Portland, Oregon.
Court documents stated that Emerson had ingested psychedelic mushrooms and had not slept for 40 hours, which he later said led to a severe mental health crisis.
Crew members quickly restrained him, and he ultimately spent 46 days in jail before being released pending trial in December 2023.
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“Pilots are not perfect. They are human… and all people need help sometimes,” Judge Baggio told the courtroom.
Emerson addressed the court as well: “I’m not a victim. I am here as a direct result of my actions. This very tragic event has forced me to grow as an individual.”
His legal team emphasized that while he avoided the harshest possible penalty — a sentence of up to 20 years — the consequences remain serious.
“He has lost his livelihood, his standing in the community, and the career he loved. He will be forever marked by this federal conviction,” his attorneys wrote in a sentencing memorandum, as reported by ABC News.
The Federal Aviation Administration has revoked Emerson’s pilot and medical certificates, and Alaska Airlines has permanently terminated his employment. He had previously faced fines up to $250,000 under the plea agreement.
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As part of the terms, Emerson must also pay full restitution to those affected, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oregon.
His wife, Sarah Stretch, spoke emotionally in court: “I just hope people realize that it’s not necessarily the mistake itself but how you respond to it. He has responded with courage, strength, and extreme resiliency.”
Earlier this year, in an interview with CBS News, Emerson said he was overwhelmed by panic in the cockpit and believed he was dreaming as the event unfolded. “I know now it was real,” he said, calling the moment “the most consequential three seconds of my life.”
The incident has sparked renewed discussion about pilot mental health and aviation safety, and is one of the focal points of the FX and Hulu documentary Lie to Fly, released in August 2024.
