Why Did Pilot Joseph Emerson Try to Crash the Plane? Back to the Attempted Sabotage of Flight 2059

Off-duty pilot Joseph David Emerson tried to sabotage an Alaska Airlines flight in October 2023, prompting a review of pilot mental health regulations

On October 22, 2023, Joseph David Emerson, an experienced pilot, attempted to sabotage an Alaska Airlines flight while traveling as a passenger.

The incident not only exposed serious mental health concerns for pilots, but also underscored the strict regulations surrounding it. Emerson’s actions on Flight 2059 exposed the challenges pilots face in managing their mental health under what some pilots call strict FAA guidelines.

Emerson, a longtime pilot, had previously met all FAA medical certification requirements without issue. But during the flight, Emerson said he suffered a severe mental breakdown after being deprived of sleep and taking psychedelic mushrooms two days earlier, prompting him to try to shut down the plane’s engines.

Following the incident, Emerson was charged with 84 counts and released on bail with strict conditions, including being barred from coming within 30 feet of aircraft. The incident sparked a broader conversation about the need for reform in how pilot mental health is managed and reported, underscoring the need for better support systems in the airline industry.

Documentary film Lie to flypremiering on FX and Hulu in August 2024, explores Emerson’s story and the broader implications for airline safety and pilot mental health.

Here’s everything you need to know about Joseph David Emerson, why he tried to sabotage Flight 2059, and the implications it has for the entire airline industry.

Who is Joseph David Emerson?

Emerson has a long history in aviation. He began his career with Horizon Airlines in 2001 and later joined Virgin America, only to return to Alaska Airlines as a first officer after Virgin America was acquired. By 2019, he had risen to the rank of captain. Emerson has always met FAA requirements for medical certification.

Emerson’s neighbors described him as “very positive” and “very friendly” to KRON 4 in October 2023.

Despite his success as a pilot and a growing family of wife and two children, Emerson was struggling. He was coping with the recent death of a close friend who had been a best man at his wedding. When he sought help from a therapist, she suggested he seek out another doctor who could better help with what she said sounded like depression.

“She was the first person to say, ‘You know, I can’t diagnose you, but would you ever consider seeing a doctor who could diagnose you and possibly prescribe you antidepressants?’” Emerson said. New York Times.

He added that he decided not to seek such care because FAA policy at the time prevented or stopped pilots from flying who had been diagnosed with mental health issues or who were taking medication for mental health issues.

What happened on Flight 2059?

On October 22, 2023, Emerson was traveling as a passenger in the cockpit of Horizon Airlines Flight 2059 from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco. He allegedly suffered a severe nervous breakdown during the flight. According to his own testimony and police documents, Emerson threw his phone across the cockpit and stated, “I don’t feel good.” He then tried to pull the handles on a fire extinguisher, which would have shut down the plane’s engines.

Fortunately, the flight crew reacted quickly and managed to subdue Emerson before he could do any serious harm. They declared an in-flight emergency and diverted the flight to Portland. Emerson was subdued by flight attendants and moved to the back of the plane, preventing any further attempts to sabotage the plane.

What was Emerson accused of?

After the plane landed safely, Emerson was charged with 83 counts of attempted murder, one for each person on board, and one federal count of endangering an aircraft. The former pilot remained in custody until December, when he pleaded not guilty to all 84 charges and was eventually granted bail.

The judge ruled that his release was contingent on Emerson meeting several conditions, including not coming within 30 feet of the aircraft, receiving mental health services and not taking any drugs, according to ABC News.

Why did Emerson try to crash the plane?

During questioning, Emerson revealed that he first took psychedelic mushrooms two days before the flight, which he believes triggered his breakdown. He admitted that he had not slept for 40 hours and thought he was dreaming during the incident.

Emerson’s defense argued that his actions on Flight 2059 were not motivated by any crimes, but by panic-induced hallucinations, as he allegedly believed he was dreaming and desperately wanted to wake up. His lawyers argued that the incident was a tragic misunderstanding, fueled by his poor mental state, and that Emerson never intended to harm anyone on board.

“In short, Captain Emerson thought he was dreaming; his actions were the result of a unilateral effort to wake up from that dream and return home to his family,” his defense attorneys said in a statement, according to ABC News.

Emerson’s defense team argued the case was more about mental health than malice. The former pilot’s wife, Sarah Stretch, echoed that sentiment, saying that despite the unfortunate events, she hopes it will lead to more pilots getting the help they need.

“I am saddened that this had to happen to my husband and the people it affected, but I know it has started a movement to help thousands of other pilots and people in mental health situations,” Stretch said. CBS News Bay Area in December 2023

How did the FAA respond to the Emerson case?

The Emerson incident highlighted significant issues in the aviation industry, particularly the mental health of pilots.

FAA regulations often discourage pilots from seeking help for fear of losing their jobs, he said. New York Times. The organization has historically barred depressed pilots from flying or using prescription medications because of concerns about their ability to safely operate a plane. It wasn’t until 2010 that the FAA approved some antidepressants for pilots with mild to moderate depression.

However, at the time, pilots taking these medications were grounded for months for a monitoring period, and the process of being cleared to return to flying could take even longer — with no guarantee of success.

Doctors, lawyers and airline pilots say the potential impact on their careers has caused many pilots to either hide their treatment, risking penalties of up to $250,000, or avoid seeking help altogether. New York Times.

In November 2023, shortly after Emerson’s alleged breakdown, the FAA announced it would create a Pilot Mental Health Regulation Committee (ARC) to address barriers preventing pilots from reporting mental health issues. The committee, made up of medical experts and aviation and labor representatives, will review and recommend improvements based on recent advances in mental health care.

The FAA said its actions will include better mental health training for examiners, support for research, hiring more mental health specialists and increasing outreach to pilots.

Where is Joseph David Emerson now?

Emerson lives with his wife, Stretch, and their two young sons in Pleasant Hills, California, according to New York Times. He remained out of the public eye after his release from prison in December 2023 until he spoke out for the first time in an August 2024 documentary. Lie to fly.

The FX series continues to explore the push to reform FAA regulations to provide pilots with the support they need without compromising public safety. The documentary also examines how the death of Emerson’s best friend profoundly affected his mental health, his reluctance to seek help and the events leading up to Flight 2059.

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