PORTLAND, OR - Joseph David Emerson, a 44-year-old pilot employed by Alaska Airlines, is alleged to have tried to purposefully crash a flight Sunday between Everett, Washington and San Francisco, California. The flight was diverted to Portland, Oregon.
According to multiple reports, Emerson was off-duty and was riding in the jump seat of the cockpit. At some point, he attempted to activate the plane’s fire-suppression system. Had he been successful in that attempt, he would have caused fuel starvation, which ultimately would have crashed the plane.
That action has him potentially facing 83 counts of attempted murder. According to NBC News, he is also facing 83 counts of reckless endangerment.
“When pulled, a valve in the wing closes to shut off fuel to the engine,” an Alaska Airlines spokesperson explained to the New York Post. “After they are pulled, some residual fuel remains in the line, and the quick reaction of our crew to reset the handles restored fuel flow and prevented fuel starvation.”
Audio from the cockpit conversation with air traffic control was obtained.
“As a heads up. We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit. It doesn’t sound like he’s got any issue in the back right now. I think he’s subdued," the pilot told air traffic control. "Other than that, we want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked.”
Sources say that they do not believe that Emerson’s actions stemmed from any type of ideology or terrorist ties, but more so from a mental episode. Until that can be verified, investigators will be looking at every possibility.
According to one former FBI intelligence officer, “They are going to unpack this person’s life. They are going to go through his social media, all of his computers, his phones.”
The flight crew has been credited with quick thinking and being able to fend of the potential catastrophe. Not only were they able to reverse the effects of the fuel shutoff, but passengers also pointed to how calm and professional they were throughout the whole ordeal.
One passenger, Aubrey Gavello, said in an interview that the crew alerted them about a medical emergency in the cockpit prior to the flight being rerouted to Portland. “The flight attendant got back on the speaker and said, plain and simple, ‘He had a mental breakdown. We needed to get him off the plane immediately,’” Gavello said.
While there are no reports of exactly how the pilot was subdued, the crew did get him to the back of the plane. He was handcuffed and seated in the rear jump seat. Emerson is being held in Multnomah County jail as he awaits arraignment.
According to multiple reports, Emerson was off-duty and was riding in the jump seat of the cockpit. At some point, he attempted to activate the plane’s fire-suppression system. Had he been successful in that attempt, he would have caused fuel starvation, which ultimately would have crashed the plane.
That action has him potentially facing 83 counts of attempted murder. According to NBC News, he is also facing 83 counts of reckless endangerment.
“When pulled, a valve in the wing closes to shut off fuel to the engine,” an Alaska Airlines spokesperson explained to the New York Post. “After they are pulled, some residual fuel remains in the line, and the quick reaction of our crew to reset the handles restored fuel flow and prevented fuel starvation.”
Audio from the cockpit conversation with air traffic control was obtained.
“As a heads up. We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit. It doesn’t sound like he’s got any issue in the back right now. I think he’s subdued," the pilot told air traffic control. "Other than that, we want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked.”
Sources say that they do not believe that Emerson’s actions stemmed from any type of ideology or terrorist ties, but more so from a mental episode. Until that can be verified, investigators will be looking at every possibility.
According to one former FBI intelligence officer, “They are going to unpack this person’s life. They are going to go through his social media, all of his computers, his phones.”
The flight crew has been credited with quick thinking and being able to fend of the potential catastrophe. Not only were they able to reverse the effects of the fuel shutoff, but passengers also pointed to how calm and professional they were throughout the whole ordeal.
One passenger, Aubrey Gavello, said in an interview that the crew alerted them about a medical emergency in the cockpit prior to the flight being rerouted to Portland. “The flight attendant got back on the speaker and said, plain and simple, ‘He had a mental breakdown. We needed to get him off the plane immediately,’” Gavello said.
While there are no reports of exactly how the pilot was subdued, the crew did get him to the back of the plane. He was handcuffed and seated in the rear jump seat. Emerson is being held in Multnomah County jail as he awaits arraignment.
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