Former Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson pleaded guilty Friday to federal charges after attempting to shut down the engines of a Horizon Air flight two years ago, according to the Associated Press.
Authorities said Emerson, 46, was riding in the flight deck jumpseat of Horizon Air Flight 2059 from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco on October 22, 2023, when he pulled the fire suppression handles.
The crew quickly reset the controls and restrained him before diverting the Embraer E175 to Portland International Airport (KPDX), where it landed safely with over 80 people on board.
In Oregon state court, Emerson entered a no-contest plea to 83 counts of recklessly endangering another person and one felony count of endangering an aircraft. He was sentenced to 50 days in jail, credited as time served, five years of probation, more than 600 hours of community service, and restitution of about $60,000, mostly to Alaska Airlines, per Oregon Public Broadcasting.
His probation conditions include staying at least 25 feet away from operable aircraft without approval from his probation officer and avoiding drug and alcohol use.
Federal sentencing is scheduled for November 17. Prosecutors could seek up to a year in prison, while defense attorneys have asked for probation. The maximum penalty for the charge carries up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to ABC News.
“I regret the harm that I caused to my profession, the thing that I gave my life to, especially to the two pilots up front,” Emerson said.
Emerson admitted to using a psychedelic drug before the incident.
