Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot indicted for attempting to disable jet's engines mid-flight
An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot, Joseph Emerson, has been charged with endangering an aircraft and recklessly endangering another person after allegedly attempting to disable the engines of a Horizon Air flight during a bad magic mushrooms trip. Emerson, who avoided attempted murder charges, tried to activate the jet's fire suppression handles mid-flight but was stopped by the on-duty pilot and first officer. He was restrained until the plane landed safely in Portland, Oregon. Emerson claimed to be experiencing a mental breakdown and believed he was in a nightmare. He has also been charged in US District Court and has a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.