Alaska Airlines Pilot Who Attempted Engine Shutdown While High on Shrooms Granted No Extra Jail Time [WATCH]

A former off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who attempted to shut down the engines of a San Francisco-bound flight while under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms will not serve additional prison time, a federal judge ruled Monday, as reported by The New York Post.

Joseph Emerson was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Amy Baggio in Portland, Oregon. Federal prosecutors had sought an additional year in prison.

Former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to shut off the plane’s engines mid-flight will serve no additional prison time, a federal court has ruled.

The judge sentenced Joseph Emerson to credit for time served and supervised release for three years at a hearing in Portland,… pic.twitter.com/4vL65Fd4o3

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) November 18, 2025

“Pilots are not perfect. They are human,” Baggio said during the hearing. “They are people, and all people need help sometimes.”

The incident occurred on Oct. 22, 2023, aboard a Horizon Air flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco. Emerson, who was riding off-duty in the cockpit, attempted to pull two red handles that could have activated the fire suppression system and cut the fuel supply to the engines. The plane was carrying more than 80 passengers.

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Flight crew members subdued Emerson, and the aircraft diverted to Portland, where it landed safely.

Emerson told police he had taken psychedelic mushrooms two days earlier, had not slept in more than 40 hours, and believed he was dreaming when he reached for the controls. He said he had been grieving the death of a friend at the time.

His attorney, Ethan Levi, described the episode as “a product of untreated alcohol use disorder.” Levi said Emerson had been drinking at the time and accepted mushrooms “because of his lower inhibitions.”

After spending 46 days in jail, Emerson was released in December 2023 under conditions requiring sobriety, mental health treatment, and avoiding aircraft. Levi said Emerson has been sober since entering treatment.

Before sentencing, Emerson told the court he took responsibility for his actions. “I’m not a victim. I am here as a direct result of my actions,” he said. “I can tell you that this very tragic event has forced me to grow as an individual.”

NEW: Ex-Alaska Airlines pilot who forced emergency landing while high on mushrooms pleads guilty in federal and state court

Joseph Emerson was riding in an extra cockpit seat when he grabbed two red handles

These handles would have activated the plane’s fire suppression system… pic.twitter.com/am6s8ddZQL

— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) September 6, 2025

His wife, Sarah Stretch, also addressed the court. “I am so sorry for those that it’s impacted as much as it has,” she said, adding that she was proud of her husband’s progress.

One of the pilots on the flight, Alan Koziol, said he did not believe Emerson intended to harm anyone, describing him as appearing “more like a trapped animal than a man in control of his faculties.”

Koziol also said the aviation industry should allow pilots more flexibility to seek mental health care.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Barrow said Emerson’s actions were serious and credited the flight crew for preventing a disaster. “There were 84 people on that plane who could have lost their lives,” Barrow said.

A passenger, Alison Snyder, told the court by phone that she and her husband will “never feel as safe flying as we once did.”

Emerson pleaded guilty in September as part of an agreement with prosecutors. He faced federal charges of interfering with a flight crew.

ALASKA AIRLINES PILOT WHO TRIED TO SHUT OFF BOTH ENGINES WHILE TRIPPING ON MUSHROOMS JUST WALKED FREE

Joseph Emerson, the off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who stood up in the cockpit, hallucinating, and yanked the red engine-kill handles mid-flight, just walked out of court… pic.twitter.com/39GukItIwA

— HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) November 18, 2025

A separate Oregon state indictment charged him with 83 counts of endangering another person and one count of endangering an aircraft.

At the state level, Emerson was sentenced to 50 days in jail with credit for time served and five years of probation.

The court ordered him to complete 664 hours of community service, half of which may be completed at his nonprofit pilot health organization, “Clear Skies Ahead.”

He must also pay $60,000 in restitution, mostly to Alaska Air Group, and comply with requirements related to sobriety, mental health treatment, and staying away from aircraft.

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