Alaska Airlines pilot facing 83 counts of attempted murder after emergency landing

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) – An Alaska Airlines pilot has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder and endangering an airplane after threats made Sunday, according to the Port of Portland.

Authorities say off-duty pilot Joseph David Emerson, 44, was taken into custody after a disturbance on a Horizon Air flight heading to San Francisco from Everett.

The flight was diverted and landed in Portland around 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Emerson was reportedly riding in the jump seat of the cockpit when he attempted to “disrupt the operation of the engines,” according to Alaska Airlines, which owns Horizon.

“The jump seat occupant unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the operation of the engines. The Horizon Captain and First Officer quickly responded, engine power was not lost and the crew secured the aircraft without incident,” Alaska Airlines said in a statement Monday morning.

The plane crew was able to subdue Emerson in the back of the plane and he was taken into custody on landing.

Emerson is currently being held at the Multnomah County Detention Center.

Copyright 2023 KPTV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.