A former Alaska Airlines pilot who attempted to crash a plane bound for San Francisco while under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms will not serve additional prison time, as decided by a judge.
Joseph Emerson received his sentence on Monday from U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio in Portland, Oregon. He will spend time in prison along with three years of supervised release, which was less than the one-year incarceration that federal prosecutors were seeking.
Judge Baggio emphasized the humanity of pilots, saying, “Pilots aren’t perfect. They’re human beings… everyone needs help sometimes.”
The incident occurred on October 22, 2023, when Emerson, off-duty, was in the cockpit of a Horizon flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco. He attempted to shut down the engine but was halted by a flight attendant.
He informed law enforcement that he had been grieving a friend and had consumed psychedelic mushrooms two days prior, along with being awake for over 40 hours at the time of his actions on a plane with over 80 people on board.
In a troubled state, Emerson thought he was dreaming and tried to wake himself by reaching for two red handles that could have activated the fire suppression system and cut off fuel supply to the engine.
If he’d been successful, the consequences could have been severe, immediately halting the engine’s fuel flow.
After the incident, the plane was redirected to Portland for a safe landing.
Emerson’s lawyer, Ethan Levi, linked his actions to untreated alcohol use issues, stating that Emerson was drinking and using mushrooms when his guard was down.
Emerson spent 46 days in jail before being released while awaiting trial in December 2023. He is required to avoid drugs and alcohol, attend mental health services, and keep away from aircraft.
His attorney shared that Emerson has undergone treatment post-release and has maintained sobriety since. Before his sentencing, Emerson expressed remorse for the situation he created.
“I’m not a victim. I’m here as a direct result of my actions,” he said, adding that the experience has spurred personal growth.
His wife, Sarah Stretch, expressed pride in how he has evolved since the incident, saying, “I’m really sorry to all the people who have been so affected.”
Another Horizon pilot, Alan Koziol, remarked on Emerson’s erratic behavior, suggesting that he seemed more like a trapped animal than someone in control. He argued that the airline industry should allow pilots more access to mental health resources.
Oregon Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Barrow highlighted the gravity of Emerson’s actions, noting that the flight crew acted promptly to prevent disaster. “There were 84 people on that plane who could have lost their lives,” he said.
Passenger Alison Snyder shared over the phone that her flying experiences have been altered forever because of Emerson’s actions, stating, “We will no longer fly as safely as we once did.”
In September, Emerson pleaded guilty to all charges in a deal with prosecutors. He is facing charges from the federal level for interfering with a flight crew as well as 83 counts of endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft at the state level.
For the state charges, he received a 50-day jail sentence, which was suspended for five years, and is mandated to complete 664 hours of community service—half of which can be at his pilot health nonprofit organization, Clear Skies Ahead.
The state has also directed Alaska Air Group to pay $60,000 in restitution and adhere to treatment and compliance requirements.
