An off-duty pilot accused of attempting to shut down an Alaska Airlines plane’s engines mid-flight has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder.
Joseph David Emerson, 44, faces numerous charges including 83 additional counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft, according to police documents.
Emerson is thought to have been sitting behind the operating pilot in a jump seat on the Embraer 175 plane flying from Everett, near Seatle, to San Francisco.
Alaska Airlines said the plane was diverted to Portland International Airport following a “security threat” onboard the aircraft.
The carrier said: “On Oct. 22, Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 operated by Horizon Air from Everett, WA (PAE) to San Francisco, CA (SFO) reported a credible security threat related to an authorized occupant in the flight deck jump seat.
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“The crew secured the aircraft without incident. We are grateful for the professional handling of the situation by the Horizon flight crew and appreciate our guests’ calm and patience throughout this event.”
The pilot appears to describe a person who has been “subdued” after an incident aboard the plane, according to Live Air Traffic audio.
The pilot said: “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, I think he’s subdued.
“We want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked.”
Emerson was reportedly arrested by Port of Portland officials after the plane landed safely.
He was described in his booking as a six foot one-inch tall white male with blue eyes who weighs 210 pounds.
Alaska law enforcement is investigating the incident.
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