Off-duty pilot's psychedelic trip raises concerns about mental health in the cockpit
An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot, Joseph D. Emerson, has been accused of attempting to disable the plane's engines mid-flight. Court documents reveal that Emerson claimed to have taken "magic mushrooms" 48 hours before the incident and believed he was dreaming. The quick actions of the flight crew prevented the engines from failing completely. Emerson has been charged with interfering with a flight crew and faces numerous state charges. Experts suggest that the lingering effects of psilocybin, combined with depression and sleep deprivation, may have contributed to his behavior. Authorities believe the incident was a result of a mental health episode rather than terrorism.