An off-duty pilot has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder after allegedly trying to crash an Alaska Airlines flight.
The incident unfolded on an Alaska Airlines flight bound from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, California, with 80 passengers on board, per BBC News.
The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Joseph David Emerson, was positioned in the cockpit of the aircraft behind the captain and the first officer, according to an official statement released by the airline.
The airline's crew, who swiftly recognized the gravity of the situation, managed to subdue the suspect without incident. The flight was subsequently diverted to Portland, Oregon.
Alaska Airlines stated that the off-duty pilot was traveling in the flight deck jump seat when he "unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the operation of the engines."
The airline's crew members aboard Flight 2059 promptly reported the alarming incident to air traffic control, with one of the pilots stating over air traffic communication: "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."
The pilot added that he believed the suspect had been subdued and requested police presence upon landing in Portland.
Originally scheduled to depart at 17:25 local time and arrive in San Francisco at 19:30, the unfolding events dramatically altered the flight's course. However, the aircraft eventually took off from Portland at 19:18 and reached its destination.
Passengers on board the flight were initially unaware of the gravity of the situation. The flight attendant announced that the plane needed to land immediately, citing a "medical emergency."
Passenger Aubrey Gavello recounted hearing a flight attendant reassuring the suspect, telling ABC News: "We're going to be fine, it's OK, we'll get you off the plane."
She believed it was a medical emergency at the time, as did many other passengers, who noted the professional and composed response from the airline staff.
In a statement, Alaska Airlines expressed gratitude for the professionalism of the Horizon flight crew and commended the calm and patience of the passengers during the ordeal. The airline assured that all passengers were able to travel on a later flight.
The investigation into this unsettling incident is now in the hands of the Port of Portland Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as stated by Alaska Airlines. The FBI issued a statement confirming its involvement in the investigation and assured the traveling public that there was no ongoing threat related to the incident.
In addition to the attempted murder charges, Emerson faces 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft. He is currently detained at the Multnomah County Detention Center as the investigation unfolds, with the timing of his arraignment still uncertain.
On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued guidance to U.S. air carriers, emphasizing that the incident was "not connected in any way, shape, or form to current world events."
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