A former Alaska Airlines pilots who faces 83 counts of attempted murder for attempting to shut down engines mid-flight is now telling his side of the story, arguing his depression coupled with the mushrooms he consumed proved a very harmful combination.
Ex-Alaska Airlines Pilot Joseph Emerson Shares His Side Of The Story
The New York Times paints a sympathetic picture of Joseph Emerson, the pilot accused of attempted murder for an in-flight incident on Horizon Air between Seattle and San Francisco in which he was riding in the flight deck. New details and insights are revealed.
I do encourage you to read The NY Times story…it is quite riveting.
But here’s the TLDR version with my own commentary:
- Emerson battled depression for years but never sought an official diagnosis or anti-depressant medication because such medication would have automatically suspended him from piloting: pilots on anti-depressants are prohibited from piloting during a monitoring period that can stretch several months
- When his best friend died in 2018 in a freak incident in Hawaii, he plunged into depression
- He recently transitioned from an Airbus to Boeing aircraft and took on an extra role as a safety representative for Alaska pilots in SFO, keeping him away from home for most of the summer
- A gathering of his friends to commemorate the life of his best friend on the weekend before the in-flight incident is when Emerson consumed mushrooms (first time in his life) along with alcohol
- The mushrooms had a severely harmful effect on him, prompting a tidal wave of guilt and fear and the idea that he was dreaming
- Convinced he was in a dream, he tried to kill the engines onboard and crash the aircraft so that he would wake up from his dream
- He asked the flight attendants several times if he was dreaming and claimed he also tried to open the emergency exit door in order to wake up
- While he was restrained in the rear galley, he still had some movement and grabbed a pot of coffee and consumed it directly from the pot, again hoping to wake up
- Text messages sent before, during, and after the incident suggest he was indeed convinced he was dreaming
- In an airport holding room, he stripped naked, urinated on himself, and masturbated in an attempt to “wake up.”
- Presented with a phone to contact his attorney (he waived his Miranda rights at the outset), he called his wife instead and began singing Boyz II Men’s “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.”
- It was only five days after consuming the mushrooms that Emerson claims he finally woke up and no longer felt he was living in a dream
This is either the work of a genius spin doctor attorney or else, and I suspect this is more likely, a sad story and also an indictment on the system in which pilots are perversely incentivized to hide their ailments or secretly self-medicate.
CONCLUSION
Emerson says, “I don’t know if I’ll ever fly an airplane again. I really don’t. And I had a moment where that kind of became obvious. And I had to grieve that.” I think we can all grieve that. Actions have consequences and Emerson may be a great husband, father, and even pilot, but the incident should render him perfectly ineligible to ever serve as commercial pilot again.
> Read More About This Incident:
- Who Is Joseph David Emerson, Alaska Airlines Pilot Accused Of Attempted Murder?
- Alaska Airlines Pilot Accused Of Attempted Murder Claims He Was High On Psychedelic Mushrooms, Had Not Slept In 40 Hours
- Alaska Airlines Pilot Charged With 83 Counts Of Attempted Murder After Malicious Act In Cockpit
- Passengers Commence Class Action Lawsuit Against Alaska Airlines For Mushroom Pilot Antics
“…Emerson battled depression for years ”
Stopped reading right there, that’s enough for me to say that he needs to stay off the flight deck, permanently
While I’m quite certain that this incident should end his career as a pilot, I’m not sure that locking him behind bars for life accomplishes anything. I would expect that this story will be thoroughly investigated, and should it hold up then I would hope for significantly reduced charged and a significant treatment plan. Society is better off with this guy as a healthy, productive (non-flying) member of society rather than another lifelong inmate.
100% agreed.
If the facts are as he alleges and initial reports suggest, he should not go to jail (and also should not pilot again). I wish him all the best.
I’m afraid I have to object to the false narrative that pilots with mental illness are “perversely incentivized” into hiding their ailments. Every single job in which a person is placed in a position of trust and confidence is bound by common precepts of ethics and morality to leave that job when they know or are told by professionals that they are no longer able to do their job without undue risk to others, and the massive risks of hiding such facts are never higher than when you’re the pilot of a commercial aircraft responsible for hundreds of souls.
If you consider yourself above that moral obligation such that you feel dis-incentivized from seeking proper help because of the risk to your own interests, you are already unfit to fly.
I don’t disagree…you’re quite right.
But it still is a tremendous disincentive that something that may be minor and treatable could be a career ender just for admitting to it.
I most emphatically disagree with your objection that pilots with mental illness are “preversely incentivized” into hiding their ailments. That is because the “ailment” threatens the pilot’s livelihood and therefore is a threat to his income.
I understand that because I was a truck driver for about a quarter century. In order to get and maintain a CDL (Commercial Driving Licence) one has to pass a DOT Physical. There are certain things that would disqualify someone from passing the DOT Physical. I stayed away from doctors as much as possible because I was absolutely petrified at the possibility of receiving an “adverse diagnosis” about something that would disqualify me from passing the DOT Physical and thereby abruptly end my career. Finally I HAD to seek medical attention due to a large lump on my chest and it turned out I had breast cancer (guys can get it too though it is more common among women) and it turned out that it was discovered I have heart trouble and that is what forced me off the road. Before that I took blood pressure medication and that kept my blood pressure low enough to pass the Physical (max BP = 140/90 for DOT Physical to get/keep CDL but FAA allows up to 155/95 for pilots to keep their licence, go figure that out) Due to the initial breast cancer to make a long story short I learned I have heart trouble and I learned I had bladder cancer and I was blissfully unaware of both due to lack of symptoms. The heart trouble forced me off the road.
All the above to say this: I think there should be extremely GENEROUS disability compensation that should be automatically available to anyone who is forced to discontinue a career in a safety sensitive position due to any medical or mental reasons or any other reason that would cause someone to fail a required physical examination. That disability compensation should be available with no hassle and no questions asked whatsoever.
What an idiot.
Masterfully crafted by a fairly astute defense attorney. He almost killed 83 people. I wonder if the failing NYT would feel differently about him if he had succeeded.
Everything has an excuse these days.
This is another perfect example of why we need to aggressively invest in technologies to reduce our dependence on pilots. If we can put a parachute on a Cirrus, we can put one on a 737….plus the parachute won’t demand absurd pay rates or engage in shenanigans when it doesn’t get what it wants.
No criminal intent. No evidence presented indicates he planned any of this or had a plan to kill people. His story is very plausible especially if he had a reaction to mushrooms and was suffering from a mental ailment. Sleep deprivation is considered a form of torture.
There is no logic in believing he acted with intent. The pilots told him to get out of the cockpit and he did. He walked down the aisle. He told a FA he should be restrained. He did bizarre things. If someone had bad intent, they would fight to stay in the cockpit and fight to reach the cockpit again if pushed out.
he literally confessed to attempted murder’! Depression does not equal insanity.
Legally, he has no defense. HIs best bet is to plead guilty and hope to avoid being sent to ADX Florence. He takes this to trial, he likely never talks to another person the rest of his life as he will be held in the terrorist H unit
Uhm, he does have a defense. If his ability was impaired to the point he was not acting of his own volition, that’s a defense. The question is whether his legal team can prove or successfully argue any of it. The NYT piece is the first step in this direction. If his assertion holds water, then he should be deemed to have been incapacitated at the time of the events and not convicted. Of course, there’s a gamble in going to a jury with these facts, for both sides. So a savvy DA and a smart attorney will both try to plead this out with a deal that makes sense. No or minimal jail time, a ban for life on returning to the cockpit, maybe an long ban on flying as a passenger, and definitely mandated treatment for his underlying depression.
He has no defense because he VOLUNTARILY consumed an illegal substance. Once you voluntarily consume an illegal substance, you are responsible for any and all acts that you commit.
Thus, he has no valid defense. Plead guilty and hope the court sends you to a high or max security prison or get the Terry Nichols treatment
What happens if you voluntarily consume enough alcohol to become legless then kill a family of 5 on the drive home? Community service?
Missing from the public relations narrative is how did he know where to procure the drugs. It’s highly questionable he wasn’t taken to a hospital for drug panel testing and mental health evaluation to document hallucinations.
He claimed it was supplied by a friend at the retreat he was on in the days leading up to the incident.
Being sympathetic for a human is natural, and necessary.
However, standards and requirements need to exist for occupations and roles that hold power and lives in their direct hands.
This is a situation that requires a systemic re-evaluation on whether/how these types of mental issues are to be addressed.
We need high level of standards when a person has the ability to end lives so easily, this goes for people empowered with firearms to people who operate on others, prescribe drugs, as well as pilots.
Well stated. The biggest question, like with alcohol abuse prior to the new system allowing pilots to come forth and get treatment, is whether we can do the same with depression. Why do those with alcohol abuse get a free ride while those with depression are told to hide it and not seek help. There has to be a better way. Of course, that’s assuming his story is sincere.
The answer is obviously we should not trust anyone in positions of power whether a cop or pilot. That’s why normal citizens should be armed and not just cops. That why normal citizens should be encouraged to not blindly follow orders and not obey. It’s also why cockpit doors should not be locked. If we can’t trust all people we definitely can’t trust two people. It’s better that passengers be able to enter the cockpit if needed instead of having a eurowings situation. After 9/11 passengers won’t just remain in their seats if something is up.
What exactly would have been resolved if passengers would have been able to access the cockpit on the Eurowings flight?
This is gripping. I honestly have no clue what is the takeaway. If done by his attorney it was brilliant. If sincere, it’s tragic. I can’t imagine regardless the pain this has caused beyond the issues he was facing. Or to his family.
His U.S. career is over, that’s for sure. But I’m curious if, in the end, he is able to secure a position flying for a foreign carrier in Asia, S.A. or the such. Of a foreign based cargo carrier. As well, is there a way he could at least get his license restored to fly private jets after evaluations.
Getting a license and getting a job are obviously two different things.
Can’t imagine too many folks wanting to hire a pilot who has published problems in the NYT including drug use, drinking, depression, and attempting to crash a commercial airplane.
“In an airport holding room, he stripped naked, urinated on himself, and masturbated in an attempt to “wake up.”” Got it!
Sounds like a typical Tuesday evening at the Dunn residence.
He confessed and is not insane.
He likely spends the rest of his life in solitary st adx florence
Throwing shade at the system that manages pilots mental illness seems to be off the mark here.
This is a guy who intentionally hid a major depression problem, as well as other problems, because he was selfishly afraid that being ill would impact his career, while not considering how hiding these problem might be more harmful to himself, his family, his co-workers, passengers, and basically anyone else who was unlucky enough to be near him.
This is a pilot who took recreational drugs to the point of being unable to recognize his own impairment for several days.
Had this guy come forward about his problems, he would have been grounded, which would have been the right call, not an over-reaction. If it took months or even years to get back to work, that would have been the right call too.
To my understanding, the criticisms of the way pilot’s mental health issues are handled is that MINOR problems elicit an over-reaction. This guy didn’t have a minor problem. He had massively major problems.
To my knowledge there is nothing wrong with how the FAA manages massively major mental health problems.
Yea, uh no. He attempted to kill over 80 people. Go to jail.
I have no sympathy for someone who nearly killed 83 people, plus any damage at ground level in such an event. He may have had mental and personal issues but that doesn’t excuse his choice to use drugs and alcohol and endanger others. He should NEVER pilot a plane of any type EVER again. He shouldn’t be allowed to be a passenger on any plane EVER again. He should serve jail time but I wouldn’t put him in prison for life. 10+ years without parole would be about right in my estimates.
People always have excuses after they are caught doing something wrong.
Several points.
Sympathy is commendable, but ingesting hallucenogenic mushrooms was a voluntary act. Like ingesting alcohol.
Punitive systems will push any disease sufferer “underground.” Diabetes, seizure disorders, hypertension, heart disease will jeopardize a pilot’s career.
Treatable physical and mental conditions disqualify many otherwise capable individuals.
It is estimated 18% of the population at large will suffer a psychiatric condition warranting treatment.
The vast majority of patients respond well to treatment and achieve full remission.
Would you rather gave someone that is treated or not treated operating an airplane, in law enforcement, or in any highly responsible position?
Not judging the guy, as I take an interest in human psychology and behavior but people like this are not capable of being responsible for the lives of hundreds of other people. Period.
Comprehensive psychological testing for pilots needs to be implemented as often as a heart electrocardiogram.
How does he know he has depression if he was never officially diagnosed by a doctor? Self-diagnosis doesn’t count. Feeling “sad” doesn’t necessarily mean he’s depressed.
It’s unfortunate, but not surprising, to see some of the comments that focus on his metal health history and conclude that people who may have any degree of depression/anxiety should continue to be excluded from their livelihoods. Even untreated, mild forms of anxiety/depression don’t lead people to crash planes or have less regard for the lives of others. But it’s a shame that pilots can’t seek relief that would make them more productive and healthy without risks to their livelihood.
In any case, let’s focus on the real culprit here, mind altering substances. Without it, this guy would have continued to suffer in silence, but he undoubtedly would not have tried to bring a plane down. He certainly bears responsibility, but the mistake he made with hallucinagenics shouldn’t be conflated with discussions of proper mental health policies.
Things could have ended differently. We could have heard news about an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 crashing shortly after takeoff from San Francisco. Needless to say DON’T take those mushrooms!
After seeing his side of the story, if I was on the jury I would not convict. I think he should receive treatment for his mental issues and get disability for the rest of his life.
@Dale
I’ll gladly support him getting a lifelong taxpayer-supported ride as well…..in prison.
WOW. A real life inception!!!!! He should invest in a top.