Home / Crime and Justice / Pilot Who Tried to Shut Off Plane's Engines Avoids Jail Time
Pilot Who Tried to Shut Off Plane's Engines Avoids Jail Time
18 Nov
Summary
- Pilot Joseph Emerson pleaded guilty to interfering with a flight crew
- Emerson blamed his behavior on a mental breakdown caused by hallucinogenic mushrooms
- Emerson received credit for time served and 3 years of supervised release
On October 18, 2025, a federal court in Portland, Oregon ruled that a US pilot who attempted to shut off a passenger plane's engines mid-flight will not serve any additional prison time. The judge, Amy Baggio, sentenced Joseph Emerson to credit for time served and 3 years of supervised release.
Emerson, an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot, was involved in a concerning incident on a flight from Everett, Washington to San Francisco, California in October 2023. He blamed his behavior on a mental breakdown caused by hallucinogenic mushrooms. Emerson had pleaded guilty in September 2025 to a federal charge of interfering with a flight crew.
Prior to this federal sentencing, Emerson had already pleaded no contest to state charges of endangering an aircraft and 83 counts of endangering another person. For those charges, he received 5 years of probation and 50 days in jail.
The judge acknowledged that "Pilots are not perfect. They are human" and that "all people need help sometimes." Emerson expressed remorse for the harm he caused, stating, "I'm not a victim. I am here as a direct result of my actions." He has since lost his pilot's license and is now working part-time as a pressure washer, while also starting a group to bring attention to mental health struggles among pilots.
