PORTLAND (Oregon, US), Oct 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot has been charged with 83 felony counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft after he allegedly tried to disrupt the operation of the engines which was flying from Washington to San Francisco.
The off-duty pilot, riding as a passenger in the cockpit of the Alaska Airlines flight Sunday, tried to “disrupt the operation of the engines,” forcing the flight en route to San Francisco to divert to Portland, Oregon, the airline said in a statement Monday.
The suspect, identified by police as Joseph D. Emerson, 44, was subdued by the flight crew and taken into custody by the Port of Portland police officers, the port said in a separate statement.
“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. The crew secured the aircraft without incident,” Alaska Airlines said in a statement on Monday.
“Following appropriate FAA procedures and guidance from air traffic control, the flight safely diverted to Portland International Airport. The event is being investigated by law enforcement authorities,” the airline added. “All passengers on board were able to travel on a later flight. 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 FBI confirmed it is investigating.
“One man is under arrest on state charges in Oregon, booked by the Port of Portland Police Department, after an incident in the air on Horizon Air flight 2059 from Everett, WA to San Francisco, CA,” the FBI’s Portland’s field office said in a statement. “The airplane’s pilot was able to safely land the plane at Portland International Airport around 6:25 pm on Sunday, October 22. No injuries were reported. The FBI is investigating and can assure the traveling public there is no continuing threat related to this incident.”
A senior law enforcement source confirmed there’s no relation to terrorism at this point in the investigation.
Online jail records show Joseph David Emerson, 44, was arrested by the Port of Portland and booked into Multnomah County Jail shortly after 4 a.m. Monday on 167 counts, including 83 counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft.
According to the Seattle Times, the man ultimately charged in the incident had been sitting in the jumper seat on the flight deck just behind the captain and first officer of the Embraer E-175 regional jet; it is custom for airline employees to hitch a free ride back to their home base if a seat is available.
The working pilot told Portland air traffic controllers, “We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit,” according to audio of the exchange shared on the LiveATC website.
“It doesn’t seem like he’s causing any issue at the back. I think he’s subdued,” the flying pilot added. “Other than that, we want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked.” — NNN-AGENCIES
