X and Facebook (Joe Emerson) Joseph David Emerson
Joseph David Emerson is an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who is accused of trying to shut down the engines on a Horizon Air flight in midair on October 22, 2023. Jail booking records show he was arrested in Portland, Oregon.
On social media, Emerson posted photos of his wife and young kids, and tweeted about pilots’ labor concerns during COVID. Neighbors told Daily Mail he was a good father and neighbor and expressed shock.
“As a heads up. We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit. It doesn’t sound like he’s got any issue in the back right now. I think he’s subdued,” the airplane’s pilot told air traffic control, according to audio available through LiveATC. “Other than that, we want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked.”
In a statement emailed to Heavy, Alaska Airlines, which owns the plane operated by the regional carrier Horizon Air, confirmed the incident.
“On Oct. 22, Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 operated by Horizon Air from Everett, WA (PAE) to San Francisco, CA (SFO) reported a credible security threat related to an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who was traveling in the flight deck jump seat,” the press statement says.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Alaska Airlines Says Joseph David Emerson ‘Unsuccessfully Attempted to Disrupt the Operation of the Engines’
Facebook (Joseph Emerson)Joseph Emerson
According to Alaska Airlines, Emerson was sitting in a “jump seat,” a retractable chair typically reserved for crew members.
“The jump seat occupant unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the operation of the engines. The Horizon Captain and First Officer quickly responded, engine power was not lost and the crew secured the aircraft without incident,” the statement says.
“Following appropriate FAA procedures and guidance from Air Traffic Control, the flight was safely diverted to Portland International Airport. The jump seat occupant is currently in custody and the event is being investigated by law enforcement authorities, which includes the FBI and the Port of Portland Police Department,” the statement continues.
Facebook (Joe Emerson)Joe Emerson
“All passengers on board were able to travel on a later flight. We are grateful for the professional handling of the situation by the Horizon flight crew and appreciate our guests’ calm and patience throughout this event.”
The airline’s statement does not name the pilot, but his name was revealed on the jail booking sheet.
According to Daily Mail, passengers said they were told Emerson had a “mental breakdown.”
2. Joseph Emerson Tweeted at Top Politicians, Saying That ‘the Future of Air Travel Remains Highly Depressed’ & Pilots Needed Support
X (Joe Emerson)Joseph Emerson tweets
On X, Joseph David Emerson, writing as Joe Emerson, wrote about labor issues faced by pilots and tweeted at top politicians. His tweets were most prolific in December 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The future of air travel remains highly depressed. Immediate relief for the #airline industry is critical @SpeakerPelosi, @SenateMajLdr, @RepDeSaulnier, and @WhiteHouse to support our economic rebuilding. Don’t let our voices go unheard!” he tweeted in December 2020.
He also tweeted that month, “My fellow @WeAreALPA pilots and I need @SpeakerPelosi, @SenateMajLdr, @SenKamalaHarris, and the @WhiteHouse to provide relief for the #aviation industry. The livelihoods of tens of thousands of hardworking Americans are in your hands. #ExtendPSP now!”
Emerson wrote, “The U.S. #airline industry and its pilots are essential to the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine. Congress and government leaders must #ExtendPSP now to ensure critical infrastructure is in place to distribute a vaccine—American lives depend on it @SenKamalaHarris.”
He also wrote, “Thousands of my fellow @WeAreALPA pilots have been furloughed. Inaction has consequences. We need #ReliefNow. @senfeinstein, #ExtendPSP to help U.S. aviation workers before December 18. The longer we delay, the more lives will be shattered, and the economy stalled.”
In 2016, he wrote, “The time has come for @USDOT and @WhiteHouse to stand with U.S. aviation workers and enforce our trade agreements. Support US jobs #DenyNAI.”
Other than sports tweets, most of his tweets are about airline labor issues. In March 2022, he shared a tweet by the Alaska Airlines Pilot about an informational picket.
3. Joseph Emerson Shared Family Photos on Facebook & Wrote About Riots
Flight AwareThe flight path.
On Facebook, Emerson shared mostly family pictures, including ones showing two small kids.
In 2016, a friend wrote on a picture of Emerson in a cockpit, “Welcome to Alaska buddy.”
“Incitement to riot is when a person encourages others to commit a breach of the peace without necessarily acting themselves. This may involve statements, signs, or conduct intended to lead others to riot. I have been silent for too long. This is wrong!” he wrote in 2021.
In response to a birthday comment from a relative, he wrote in 2018, “All my airline skills come from lessons you taught me! I hope you’re staying warm in MSP…”
Emerson also shared a Sports Illustrated story titled, “Mr. President: You Represent All of Us. Don’t Divide Us. Bring Us Together,” about the Warriors’ White House invite being rescinded by President Trump.
4. Joseph David Emerson Is Accused of 83 Counts of Attempted Murder in the Airplane Incident’
Facebook (Joseph David Emerson)Joseph David Emerson
The jail booking sheet for Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office says that Joseph David Emerson was arrested by the Port of Portland at 4:11 a.m. on October 23, 2023. He is described as a 44-year-old white male who is 6 foot 1 inches tall and 210 pounds.
Booking records show he is accused of 83 counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft.
According to data on FlightAware, the plane was Horizon 2059. It took off from Everett, Washington, on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at 5:23 p.m., and it landed in Portland on October 22, 2023, at 6:26 p.m.
5. Joseph Emerson’s Neighbors Described Him as a ‘Happy, Playful Dad’ Whose Wife Is a Swimming Coach & Physical Education Teacher
Facebook (Joseph Emerson)Joseph Emerson
According to Daily Mail, Emerson’s neighbors described him as “a happy, playful dad, a friendly man with no issues they knew about. He would play basketball with his kids on a court he built for them in the back yard, and invited neighbors over for parties.”
“It is just really shocking, disturbing news,’ said next-door neighbor Karen Yee to Daily Mail. ‘They are excellent neighbors. He is a fantastic father. He plays with the kids all the time. He’s very friendly. He’s just a great guy.”
His wife was described to Daily Mail as “as a doting mother and a swimming coach, who taught physical education at a local community college.”
According to NBC News, the Federal Aviation Administration sent out an alert on the incident saying “a validated jump seat passenger attempted to disable aircraft engines while at cruise,” it reads.
The FBI is investigating, according to NBC News.
Daily Mail reached Emerson’s father, John Emerson, but he declined to comment.
Online records show Emerson with an address in California.
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