Pilot Joseph Emerson’s Attempted Murder Charges Dropped After Alleged Attempt to Disable Plane Engines

A former Alaska Airlines pilot accused of attempting to shut down the engines of a Horizon Air flight will not be charged with attempted murder.

Joseph Emerson has been indicted on 84 endangerment charges – one for each person on the plane – and one charge of endangering an aircraft.

He had previously pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges brought by state prosecutors and to a federal charge of interfering with a flight crew.

Prosecutors have accused 44-year-old Emerson of attempting to cut the engines on the flight from Everett, Washington state, to San Francisco on 22nd October while seated in the extra cockpit seat.

The FBI stated in an affidavit that after a brief struggle, he left the cockpit and was restrained by attendants and seated in the back of the aircraft, which was diverted to Portland.

According to charging documents, Emerson told Port of Portland police that he had been struggling with depression, had recently lost a friend, and had taken psychedelic mushrooms about 48 hours before attempting to cut the engines. He also admitted to not having slept in over 40 hours.

Emerson’s defense lawyers were pleased with the grand jury’s decision.

“The attempted murder charges were never appropriate in this case because Captain Emerson never intended to harm anyone or put anyone at risk – he simply wanted to return home to his wife and children.

“Simply put: Captain Emerson thought he was in a dream.”

Emerson remains in custody in Multnomah County, Oregon.