A former pilot accused of attempting to shut off the engines of a passenger jet mid-flight has pleaded guilty to the charges in a federal court.
Joseph David Emerson was riding off-duty in the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight when he told the pilots I am not okay before trying to cut the engines midair, court documents showed.
Emerson also told police he had taken psychedelic mushrooms and had been struggling with depression.
Under his plea agreement, prosecutors can recommend a one-year prison sentence, while his attorneys are expected to argue for no additional jail time.
He pleaded no-contest to reckless endangerment and first-degree endangering an aircraft in Oregon state court, and guilty in federal court, according to CBS News.
In the state court, he was sentenced to 50 days in jail, which he has already served, five years' probation, 664 hours of community service - eight hours for each person he endangered - and $60,659 (£44,907) in restitution.
Multnomah County, Oregon, Deputy District Attorney Eric Pickard remarked, What Joseph Emerson did was reckless, selfish, and criminal. We should remember how close he came to ruining the lives of not just the 84 people aboard Flight 2059, but all of their family members and friends as well.
In court, Emerson stated he was unable to perceive reality after taking the mushrooms but acknowledged that that doesn't make this right. He expressed his growth during this challenging journey, emphasizing his renewed capability to be a father and husband.
The incident occurred on October 22, 2023, on a flight traveling from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, California. The plane was diverted to Portland, Oregon, after the attempt to disable the engines.
According to the criminal complaint, one pilot had to physically restrain Emerson until he stopped resisting, with the incident lasting about 90 seconds.
Emerson reportedly told flight attendants: You need to cuff me right now or it's going to be bad and attempted to reach for the emergency exit handle during the plane's descent.
Furthermore, a flight attendant observed Emerson saying, I messed everything up and that he tried to kill everybody.
As part of his sentence, Emerson can serve half his community service hours at Clear Skies Ahead, a non-profit organization focused on pilot health that he founded with his wife post-arrest.
He must also undergo assessments for drug and alcohol use, refrain from using non-prescribed drugs, and maintain a distance of at least 25 feet (7.6m) from operable jets without prior approval from his probation officer.
His sentencing in the federal case is scheduled for November 17.
