Off-Duty Pilot Who Tried To Shut Down Plane Engines Mid-Air Was On Magic Mushrooms

The off-duty pilot who attempted to shut down a plane's engines mid-air had eaten magic mushrooms and believed he was experiencing a nervous breakdown, according to court documents. Joseph Emerson, who was a passenger on Horizon Air, faced 83 counts of attempted murder charges in Oregon after he made an effort to reach for controls that could have deprived the engines of fuel, effectively turning the plane into a glider.

Emerson explained to the police, as reported by an AFP article, "I pulled both emergency shutoff handles because I thought I was dreaming and I just want to wake up."

The investigating officer also discussed Emerson's use of psychedelic mushrooms, to which Emerson acknowledged that it was his first experience with them.

The unsettling incident took place during a flight of the Horizon Air Embraer E-175 from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco on a Sunday, as noted in a statement by the parent company, Alaska Airlines, as reported by AFP.

With 80 passengers on board, the flight was rerouted to Portland, Oregon, where it safely landed, and the 44-year-old individual was subsequently apprehended.

The Department of Justice provided details that during the early stages of the flight, Emerson attempted to access and engage two red fire handles, which would have triggered the plane's emergency fire suppression system and halted the flow of fuel to the engines.

"After a brief physical altercation with the pilots, Emerson exited the cockpit."

Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air's parent organization, issued a statement on Monday, commending their pilots for their swift response in reversing the actions taken by Emerson, ultimately ensuring the aircraft's safe landing.

"Flight attendants placed Emerson in wrist restraints and seated him in the rear of the aircraft," according to the Department of Justice.

During the descent of the flight, Emerson made an attempt to access the emergency exit handle, but a flight attendant intervened, preventing him by placing her hands over his.

According to the report, Emerson entered a plea of not guilty to the multiple charges filed against him, which included 83 counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of endangering an aircraft.