Ian Kluft โ
โ๏ธ๐๐Some irony that only an #avgeek would notice... While Joe Emerson was pleading guilty in Portland this morning to federal charges of interference with a flight crew, the plane he tried to shut off the engines, registration N660QX, was on the ground in Portland #KPDX. It arrived on a flight from Sacramento #KSMF and soon departed to San Jose #KSJC. It was undoubtedly a coincidence. Since PDX is an Alaska/Horizon hub, their planes fly in often. https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N660QX/history/20250905/1521Z/KSMF/KPDX #QXE2059 #aviation #travel
Wikipedia has an article about Horizon Flight 2059 (regional subsidiary of Alaska Airlines) of October 22, 2023. The flight was scheduled from Everett #KPAE to San Francisco #KSFO. Emerson was off-duty in the flight deck jumpseat when he was restrained for attempting to shut off the plane's engines. The flight diverted safely to Portland #KPDX where criminal charges were filed. Horizon did not retire the flight number 2059. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Airlines_Flight_2059 #QXE2059 #crime #aviation #travel #avgeek #PNW
A guilty plea from Joe Emerson is no surprise. He cooperated with a New York Times 2024 documentary "Lie to Fly" on pilot mental health, and how the system forces concealment of disorders to avoid instantly being grounded. His acceptance of responsibility has generated some sympathy for his situation. No longer allowed to fly, he started a non-profit to help pilots with mental health issues. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/NYT-Presents/lie-to-fly-joseph-emerson-pilot.html #QXE2059 #crime #aviation #travel #avgeek
"Ex-pilot accused of trying to cut a passenger flightโs engines reaches plea deals, his lawyer says" by @AssociatedPress - Former Alaska Airlines pilot Joe Emerson is pleading guilty today in Portland to 1 federal charge of interference with a flight crew and 84 Oregon state charges of endangering individuals and the aircraft. https://apnews.com/article/pilot-flight-emergency-plea-deal-ed3465e6c450c24df8566c948fd32a30 #QXE2059 #crime #mentalhealth #pilot #aviation #travel #avgeek #PNW
Ex-pilot accused of trying to cut engines mid-flight reaches plea deals
A former Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to cut the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 has reached plea deals with federal and state prosecutors. Joseph Emerson was riding in an extra seat in the cockpit of a Horizon Air flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco and was subdued by the crew. The plane landed safely in Portland, Oregon. Court records show Emerson is due to appear in state and federal court in Oregon on Friday. His attorney says Emerson reached plea agreements with prosecutors to take responsibility for his actions and in hopes of avoiding further time behind bars.
"Ex-pilot who forced emergency landing changes plea in pair of court appearances Friday" by KATU News (ABC Portland Oregon) - In a plea deal, former Alaska Airlines pilot Joe Emerson pled guilty to interference with a flight crew in federal court in Portland this morning, scheduled to plead in Multnomah County court to 84 OR state charges. The Oct 2023 Everett-SFO flight diverted to Portland #KPDX where charges were filed. https://katu.com/news/local/ex-pilot-who-forced-emergency-landing-changes-plea-in-pair-of-court-appearances-friday-alaska-airlines-multnomah-county-oregon #QXE2059 #crime #aviation #travel #avgeek #PNW
