Off-Duty Pilot Who Tried to Turn Off Plane Engines Escapes Most Serious Charges

‘IN A DREAM’

Joseph David Emerson claimed he had taken psychedelic mushrooms for the first time two days before he attempted to shut down the engines of a plane mid-flight.

Night Editor

Published Dec. 5 2023 10:00PM EST

Joseph David Emerson, 44, an Alaska Airlines pilot — Dave Killen/Reuters

An off-duty pilot who claims he was in the middle of a bad trip on psychedelic mushrooms when he attempted to shut off the engines of an Alaska Airlines plane mid-flight has been indicted on 84 charges related to the Oct 22 incident.

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt confirmed

Matt Young

Night Editor

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Off-Duty Pilot Who Tried to Turn Off Plane Engines Escapes Most Serious Charges

Joseph David Emerson claimed he had taken psychedelic mushrooms for the first time two days before he attempted to shut down the engines of a plane mid-flight.

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Matt Young