A potentially catastrophic situation unfolded on Sunday aboard a Horizon Air passenger jet when a third pilot, occupying an extra seat in the cockpit, attempted to shut down the plane’s engines midflight. The incident, which occurred on a San Francisco-bound flight, forced the crew to divert to Portland, Oregon, where the man was subdued and taken into custody.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Joseph David Emerson, 44. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Monday that Emerson was held on 83 counts each of attempted murder and reckless endangerment, along with one count of endangering an aircraft.
The incident, which involved a 76-seat Horizon Air Embraer 175, took place shortly after the flight departed from Everett, Washington, at 5:23 p.m. local time. One of the pilots promptly alerted air traffic controllers about the security threat posed by the extra occupant in the cockpit.
“We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit. And he — doesn’t sound like he’s causing any issue in the back right now, and I think he’s subdued,” one of the pilots communicated on audio captured by LiveATC.com. “Other than that, we want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked.”
The flight, owned by Alaska Airlines, was met by officers from the Port of Portland upon landing, who swiftly apprehended Emerson. Alaska Airlines confirmed the incident, stating that it involved “a credible security threat related to an authorized occupant in the flight deck jump seat.” However, the airline emphasized that no weapons were involved.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office in Portland assured the public that there was no continuing threat related to the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it was aiding law enforcement investigations but refrained from providing further details.
Typically, the jump seat in the cockpit is occupied by an off-duty pilot, but it can also be used by other airline employees or federal safety inspectors. Emerson, who holds a license to fly airline planes, was not immediately associated with any specific airline, according to FAA records.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a chilling reminder of the potential security threats that can occur even within the confines of an airplane cockpit. Airlines and authorities remain vigilant in ensuring the safety of passengers and crew amid these unsettling events.
