An Off-Duty Pilot Tries to Turn Off Airplane Engine in Mid-Flight
An off-duty pilot became a passenger in the cockpit of a Horizon Air flight, a regional airline owned by Alaska Airlines. He then tried to turn off the plane's engine to reroute the trip from San Francisco to Portland, Oregon, United States, on Sunday, October 22, 2023.
This was the statement made by the airline on Monday, October 23, 2023. Police identified the troubled pilot as Joseph D. Emerson (44).
The airline explained that after taking off from Paine Field Airport in Everett, Washington, aircraft 2059 operated by Horizon Air reported 'a credible security threat related to an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot'.
The airline said the pilot was 'traveling in an aircraft deck jump seat'. Pilots sometimes sit in the cockpit 'jump seat' on official travel or en route to another airport.
Alaska Airlines told CNN that the pilot attempted to shut down both engines by pulling on the Embraer 175's fire extinguisher handle.
The airline said that quick reactions from the captain and copilot kept the engines from shutting down completely.
e crew managed to calm Emerson down. He was immediately detained by Portland Airport police officers.
An online record shows that Emerson is often in trouble with the law. He faces 83 counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of endangering an aircraft.
"The fire suppression system consists of a T-handle for each engine, when retracted, a valve in the wing closes to shut off fuel to the engine," Alaska Airlines said in a statement to CNN.
"Once retracted, residual fuel still remained in the line, and our crew's quick reaction of resetting the handle restored fuel flow and prevented a fuel vacuum."
The plane was at cruising altitude when the incident occurred, Captain Mike Karn, American Airlines' senior manager of flight safety, said in a memo circulated at his airline, addressing the alleged attempt to cut engine power.
One of the pilots assigned to the flight was heard in audio recorded by LiveATC.net.
He told air traffic controllers that the suspect had tried to shut down the engine. "I think he's weak," the pilot said. "Besides, we want law enforcement to take place as soon as we land and park," he added.
The flight was diverted to Portland International Airport, according to the airline. The airline did not name Emerson but said that "someone sitting in the jump seat" had been detained and was being investigated by the FBI and Portland Airport.
The airport confirmed Emerson's identity in a statement to CNN, adding that he was being held at the Multnomah County Detention Center. The investigation is also ongoing.
A passenger, Aubrey Gavello, told CNN affiliate KGO that she was at the back of the plane and never heard a commotion or saw any signs of what was happening until a voice came over the intercom.
When they landed, 10 police officers entered the plane and removed the man, Gavello said. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has briefed other airlines on preliminary details.
In a statement, the FBI field office in Portland confirmed that it was investigating the case. However, the FBI stated that there is no ongoing threat related to this incident.
The FAA is supporting the local law enforcement investigation, he told CNN. It also informed airlines that the incident had nothing to do with "current world events", referring to the war in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas.
FAA records show Emerson holds an Airline Transport Pilot certification with ratings to fly the Airbus A320, Boeing 737, Canadair Regional Jet, and De Havilland Dash 8. He does not hold a certificate to fly the ERJ 175, which is the type of aircraft used in the incident.
Emerson's neighbor said the suspect's alleged behavior surprised him. "He seems like a very nice guy. There's nothing unusual about him," Ed Yee told CNN outside his home.
Emerson\'s neighbor said the suspect\'s alleged behavior surprised him. \"He seems like a very nice guy. There\'s nothing unusual about him,\" Ed Yee told CNN outside his home.
