Off-duty pilot charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to shut down jet’s engine midair

An off-duty Alaska airline pilot has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder after he allegedly attempted to shut down a plane’s engine in the middle of its flight on Sunday.

Joseph David Emerson was in the jump seat of the plane, near the on-duty pilot, when he attempted to deploy the fire suppression system that would have cut the plane’s engine. However, crew members were able to stop Emerson and remove him from the cockpit before any serious damage was done.

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The plane, which was transporting passengers from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, California, had to be diverted to Portland, Oregon, due to the security situation.

“We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit, and he doesn’t sound like he’s causing any issue in the back right now. I think he’s subdued,” a pilot told air traffic controllers, according to audio recorded by Live Air Traffic Control. “We want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked.”

Emerson was arrested by Port of Portland authorities upon arrival in Oregon and is described as a 6-foot-1-inch bald man. He has been charged with 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one charge of endangering an aircraft. There were 80 passengers and four crew members aboard the flight.

“On Oct. 22, Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 operated by Horizon Air from Everett, WA, to San Francisco, CA, reported a credible security threat related to an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who was traveling in the flight deck jump seat,” an Alaska Airlines spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. “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.”

The airline added: “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.”

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The FBI and Port of Portland Police Department are investigating the flight but said there is no continuing danger to the public regarding the incident, according to ABC News. The Federal Aviation Administration said it is supporting law enforcement investigations.

All passengers on board were able to travel on a later flight, the airline said.