Ex-Alaska Airlines Pilot Pleads Guilty After Attempting to Shut Down Flight Engines
Joseph Emerson, a former Alaska Airlines pilot, pleaded guilty to attempting to cut the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 while off-duty, citing mental health struggles and substance use. The incident led to a diversion and heightened awareness of mental health issues among pilots. Emerson faces potential sentencing and has agreed to community service and mental health treatment as part of his plea deal.
