Former Alaska Airlines Pilot Avoids Prison Time After Psychedelic Incident

A former pilot with Alaska Airlines, who attempted to turn off an engine while under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms during a flight in 2023, will not face prison time following a judge’s decision on Monday.

U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio gave Joseph Emerson credit for three years of prison time and ordered supervised release during a court session held in Portland, Oregon. Emerson had entered a guilty plea in September as part of a deal with federal and state prosecutors, who had recommended a one-year prison sentence.

The judge remarked, “Pilots are not perfect. They are human too, and everyone needs help from time to time.”

Before his sentencing, Emerson expressed regret, stating, “I am not a victim. I am here as a direct result of my actions. This tragic event forced me to grow as an individual.”

On October 22, 2023, Emerson was a passenger on a Horizon Airlines flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco when flight attendants detained him. He was in a spare cockpit seat on Flight 2059, which was carrying 84 people. The flight safely diverted to Portland.

Emerson, a California resident, informed authorities that he had consumed psychedelic mushrooms about two days prior and was dealing with the emotional strain of losing a friend. He also noted he hadn’t slept for over 40 hours.

He claimed to have mistakenly believed he was dreaming when he reached for two red handles intended to activate the aircraft’s fire suppression system and shut off fuel to the engines.

“No life was lost that day because of the heroic actions of the flight crew, who managed to subdue the defendant and resume normal operation of the aircraft,” federal prosecutors stated in a sentencing memo.

Emerson faced federal charges for interfering with the flight crew, as well as multiple state charges, including 83 counts of endangering others and one for endangering an aircraft.

In state court, he received a 50-day jail sentence with credit for time served, along with a five-year suspended sentence. Additionally, he was given five years of probation, mandated to complete 664 hours of community service (approximately eight hours for each endangered passenger), and required to pay over $60,000 in restitution, most of which has been paid to Alaska Air Group.