Pilot's Dream Turns Nightmare: Attempting to Crash Plane to Wake Up

An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot, Joseph Emerson, accused of attempting to shut down a plane's engine mid-flight, claimed he thought he was in a dream and needed to wake up. Emerson said he had consumed psychedelic mushrooms two days earlier and was desperate to end a hallucinogenic state. He pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and endangering an aircraft. Emerson revealed that he had self-treated his depression and grief with alcohol, as seeking a diagnosis may have prevented him from flying. Alaska Airlines has removed him from service indefinitely, and three passengers have filed lawsuits claiming emotional distress.