Joseph Emerson, a former pilot, has reached a plea agreement related to his attempt to disable the engines of a Horizon Air flight on October 22, 2023. Emerson’s route at the time of the crash was one of five that were regularly scheduled between Everett, Washington, and San Francisco. He reportedly thought he was in a dream and attempted to pull two emergency red handles, which would have activated the airplane’s fire suppression system and severed fuel to the engines. The incident resulted in a successful diversion of the aircraft to Portland, delivering safely on the ground over 80 passengers and crew members on board.
Emerson’s drug and alcohol use will be assessed. As a condition of the plea agreement, he will continue to get mental health treatment. He has to stay clean of all non-prescribed pharmaceuticals. He needs to remain at least 25 feet (7.6 meters) from operating aircraft, unless approved in advance by his probation officer. Emerson’s attorney, Noah Horst, confirmed that his client has decided to accept accountability for his actions. This ruling is intended to protect Emerson from future jailing.
Until now, Emerson had maintained his not guilty pleas on all counts. He’s now set to plead guilty to a federal felony charge. At the same time, he’s expected to enter a no-contest plea for the state charges. Under terms of the state settlement, five years’ probation is mandated. It requires him to perform 664 hours of community service, eight hours for each person he put in danger that day.
Under the terms of her plea agreement, in addition to community service, Emerson is required to pay $60,569 in restitution, mainly to Alaska Air Group. Half of his community service can be done at a new pilot health non-profit organization. He went on to start this organization right after his arrest. This part shows a real commitment to tackling mental health and substance use disorders in the aviation community.
In December 2023, Emerson was ordered released from custody pending trial under a variety of conditions. These were completing mental health services, staying sober from drugs and alcohol, and avoiding close proximity or interaction with aircraft.
The crash has sparked widespread fear and panic regarding pilot mental well being and safety measures taken by the aviation industry. Franceschini Debra Tan Investigations are ongoing. Both government regulators and airline operators will need to reevaluate their practices and procedures to avoid duplication of this type of tragedy going forward.