Joseph Emerson, the off-duty pilot accused of attempting to disable engines of an Alaska Airlines aircraft mid-flight, has stepped forward to offer explanation for what he said were ‘unfathomable’ actions.
Emerson, who was seated in the jump seat of the flight, has attributed his actions to the influence of psychedelic mushrooms, while also expressing a desire to return to flying.
In an interview with ABC News, speaking for the first time since being charged with 84 offenses related to the incident, Emerson disclosed that his behavior was influenced by severe mental distress, which was intensified by the use of psychedelic mushrooms.
He had been struggling with profound grief following the loss of his best friend, also a pilot, and turned to psychedelic mushrooms as a means of coping with his sorrow.
Having consumed the hallucinogenic substance a few days prior to the flight, Emerson described feeling “trapped” and disconnected from reality, struggling to differentiate between what was real and what was a hallucination.
On October 22, 2023, while the flight was en-route from Seattle to San Francisco, Emerson, 44, made an attempt to shut down the plane’s engines by pulling the fire extinguisher handles. As the aircraft soared through the skies, Emerson’s actions didn’t end there; he also tried to pull an emergency exit lever before being subdued by the flight crew. The swift response and decisive actions of the crew resulted in an emergency landing in Portland, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew members.
Despite a career characterised by compliance with FAA medical certification requirements, Emerson’s breakdown and mental stress brought to focus the immense pressure and potential mental health challenges faced by pilots.
The incident sparked conversation about the need for enhanced mental health support for pilots and raised questions about the adequacy of existing regulations and support systems.
Emerson, who was seated in the jump seat of the flight, has attributed his actions to the influence of psychedelic mushrooms, while also expressing a desire to return to flying.
In an interview with ABC News, speaking for the first time since being charged with 84 offenses related to the incident, Emerson disclosed that his behavior was influenced by severe mental distress, which was intensified by the use of psychedelic mushrooms.
He had been struggling with profound grief following the loss of his best friend, also a pilot, and turned to psychedelic mushrooms as a means of coping with his sorrow.
Having consumed the hallucinogenic substance a few days prior to the flight, Emerson described feeling “trapped” and disconnected from reality, struggling to differentiate between what was real and what was a hallucination.
On October 22, 2023, while the flight was en-route from Seattle to San Francisco, Emerson, 44, made an attempt to shut down the plane’s engines by pulling the fire extinguisher handles. As the aircraft soared through the skies, Emerson’s actions didn’t end there; he also tried to pull an emergency exit lever before being subdued by the flight crew. The swift response and decisive actions of the crew resulted in an emergency landing in Portland, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew members.
Despite a career characterised by compliance with FAA medical certification requirements, Emerson’s breakdown and mental stress brought to focus the immense pressure and potential mental health challenges faced by pilots.
The incident sparked conversation about the need for enhanced mental health support for pilots and raised questions about the adequacy of existing regulations and support systems.