Off-duty pilot accused of cockpit disturbance released from jail, receives mental health support
The off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who attempted to shut down an aircraft's engines mid-flight in October is set to be released from jail after posting bail. Joseph David Emerson, 44, was arraigned on state misdemeanor charges and a federal count of interference with flight crew members and attendants. Emerson's defense argues that he was not mentally capable of committing a crime at the time of the incident and emphasizes the need for mental health support in the airline industry. The grand jury declined to indict Emerson on attempted murder charges, and the case is still ongoing.