What happened during the Alaska Airlines flight in October 2023?

An off-duty pilot allegedly attempted to shut down the plane's engines mid-flight, leading to a struggle in the cockpit.

Who is Joseph Emerson, the pilot involved?

Joseph Emerson is an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who was on a Horizon Air flight when the incident occurred.

Why is the cockpit recording resurfacing now?

The recording has resurfaced online, bringing renewed attention and new details to light about the alleged mid-air engine tampering event.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Pilot's Mid-Air Engine Shutdown Attempt Revealed

Pilot's Mid-Air Engine Shutdown Attempt Revealed

12 Dec

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Summary

Off-duty pilot Joseph Emerson allegedly reached for engine shut-off handles.
Incident occurred in October 2023 on a flight from Seattle to San Francisco.
A disturbing cockpit recording has resurfaced online concerning the event.

Pilot's Mid-Air Engine Shutdown Attempt Revealed

A disturbing cockpit recording has resurfaced, detailing an incident from October 2023 where an off-duty pilot allegedly attempted to disable a passenger jet's engines while in the air. Joseph Emerson, identified as the pilot, was reportedly in the cockpit jump seat of a Horizon Air Embraer E75 en route from Seattle to San Francisco.

During the flight, Emerson allegedly reached for the emergency engine shut-off handles. This action precipitated a brief struggle within the cockpit as crew members intervened to prevent the engines from being turned off. The resurfaced recording provides a critical auditory account of the tense moments that unfolded.

The incident, which occurred several months ago, is now under renewed scrutiny following the release of this cockpit audio. Investigations into the motivations and actions of Joseph Emerson continue as the aviation industry assesses the implications of this serious breach of safety protocols.