CA Pilot Accused Of Trying To Cut Plane Engines Speaks Out

CALIFORNIA — An off-duty pilot accused of attempting to cut the engines during a California-bound flight last year will give an in-depth interview and discuss mental health in the airline industry in a new documentary set to premiere Friday night.

Joseph Emerson is accused of taking psychedelic mushrooms before hitching a ride home in the jumpseat on Alaska Airlines Flight 2059, a Horizon Air flight bound for San Francisco from Everett, Wash., on Oct. 22, 2023. As the plane neared Portland, Emerson is accused of saying "I'm not okay" then leaping from his seat in the cockpit to pull two fire suppression handles that could have cut power to the aircraft's engines.

One of the pilots later told investigators Emerson failed to pull the handles down all the way, averting what could have been a tragedy aboard a full flight carrying dozens of passengers and crew members. The flight diverted to Portland International Airport, and prosecutors allege a flight attendant stopped Emerson from trying to open an emergency exit as the plane made its descent.

After his arrest, investigators said Emerson told them that he had been struggling with depression in the months leading up to the flight, had not slept in two days, and had taken magic mushrooms for the first time roughly 48 hours prior to the flight.

He was initially charged with 83 counts of attempted murder and 83 counts of reckless endangerment. In December, a grand jury returned an indictment on 83 misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and one count of "endangering aircraft," forgoing the attempted murder charges. Emerson pleaded not guilty and was released on bond and returned to the Bay Area pending a trial expected to begin this fall.

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The new "Lie to Fly" documentary is part of the "New York Times Presents" series on FX and Hulu and will feature in-depth interviews with Emerson, along with new cockpit audio and body camera footage.

"'Lie to Fly' explores the story of Emerson, and the reasons he and many other pilots fear seeking mental health," The New York Times said. "The film follows a growing movement calling for reform of the Federal Aviation Administration's strict rules around pilot mental health, which some insiders say leaves the public at risk."

"Lie to Fly" is set to premiere Friday night on FX's "The New York Times Presents" available on Hulu.