The pilot on leave guilty of having tried to crash on Alaska Airlines Jet

A former pilot accused of having tried to close the engines of a passenger plane half-volidable pleaded guilty to the accusations of a federal court.

Joseph David Emerson was driving in service in the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight when he told the pilots “I am not doing well” before trying to cut the drivers outdoors, have shown legal documents.

Emerson also told the police that he had taken psychedelic mushrooms and that he had difficulties with depression.

Under his advocacy agreement, prosecutors can recommend a one -year prison sentence, while his lawyers should insult an additional.

He undoubtedly pleaded for an reckless endangerment and the endangering of an airplane at the State Court of Oregon, and guilty before the Federal Court, according to the American partner of the BBC, CBS News.

In the State Court of State, he was sentenced to 50 days in prison, which he has already served, five years of probation, 664 hours of community service – eight hours for each person he endangered – and $ 6,659 (£ 44,907) in restitution, CBS News, BBC partner in the United States, reported.

“What Joseph Emerson did was reckless, selfish and criminal,” said Multnomah County, Oregon, assistant prosecutor Eric Pickard. “We must remember how close he was to ruin the life not only of the 84 people aboard the 2059 flight, but also of all the members of their family and friends.”

On Friday, in court, Emerson said that he had not been able to perceive reality after taking the mushrooms, but added “that does not make it properly”.

“This difficult trip made me a better father, a better husband, a better member of my community,” he said. “Today, I can be the dad of which I was incapable when I had to consume alcohol to face life like life.”

The flight on October 22, 2023 was on the way to Everett, Washington, in San Francisco, California, with 80 passengers on board. He was then diverted to Portland, Oregon.

The criminal complaint stipulates that a pilot said that he should fight with Emerson until he stopped resisting and came out of the cockpit. The whole incident lasted approximately 90 seconds.

After being moderate, Mr. Emerson said to the on -board agents: “You have to repress me now or it will be bad” and then tried to reach the emergency exit handle during the descent of the plane, according to the documents.

A on -board agent told investigators that they had observed Emerson saying “I spoiled everything” and that he “tried to kill everyone”.

Emerson can serve half of his hours of community service in Clear Skies Ahead, a non -profit organization for Pilot Health that he founded with his wife after his arrest.

It must also be assessed for drug and alcohol consumption, to refrain from using non -prescribed drugs and to keep at least 25 feet (7.6 m) of the operable jets without the authorization of its probation agent, CBS reported.

His conviction in the federal case is scheduled for November 17.