Left: Alaska Airlines Pilot Joseph Emerson Documentary; Right: Former Alaska Air pilot Joseph Emerson released from jail after not guilty plea. Photo:
FX Networks/Youtube; KPIX | CBS NEWS BAY AREA/Youtube
Off-duty pilot Joseph David Emerson tried to sabotage an Alaska Airlines flight in October 2023, sparking an examination of mental health regulations for pilots
On Oct. 22, 2023, Joseph David Emerson, an experienced pilot, attempted to sabotage an Alaska Airlines flight while traveling as a passenger.
The incident not only exposed serious concerns about pilot mental health but also highlighted the stringent regulations surrounding it. Emerson’s actions on Flight 2059 brought to light the challenges faced by pilots in managing their mental health under what some pilots say are strict FAA guidelines.
Emerson, a pilot with a long career in aviation, had previously met all FAA medical certification requirements without issue. However, during the flight, Emerson said he experienced a severe mental breakdown after being sleep-deprived and ingesting psychedelic mushrooms two days prior, leading him to attempt to disable the plane’s engines.
Following the incident, Emerson faced 84 charges and was released on bail with strict conditions, including a ban on coming within 30 feet of any aircraft. The incident prompted a broader discussion about the need for reform in how pilot mental health is managed and reported, emphasizing the need for better support systems within the aviation industry.
The documentary Lie to Fly, which premiered on FX and Hulu in August 2024, delves into Emerson’s story and the broader implications for airline safety and the mental health of pilots.
Here’s everything to know about Joseph David Emerson, why he tried to sabotage Flight 2059 and the implications for the aviation industry at large.
Who is Joseph David Emerson?
Joseph Emerson; Lie to Fly.
FX Networks/Youtube
Emerson had a long history in aviation. He began his career with Horizon Airlines in 2001 and later joined Virgin America, only to return to Alaska Airlines as a First Officer after their acquisition of Virgin America. By 2019, he had risen to the rank of Captain. Emerson had always met the FAA’s medical certification requirements.
Emerson’s next-door neighbors described him as “very positive” and “very friendly” to KRON 4 in October 2023.
Despite his success as a pilot and growing family, with his wife and two kids, Emerson struggled. He had been coping with the recent death of a close friend, who was the best man at his wedding. When he sought help from a therapist, she suggested that he seek out another doctor who could better help with what she said sounded like depression.
“She’s the first one who said, ‘You know, I can’t diagnose you, but would you ever consider seeing a doctor who could diagnose you and possibly get on an antidepressant?’ ” Emerson told The New York Times.
He added that he decided against seeking this care because FAA policies at the time prevented or paused pilots from flying if they had a mental health diagnosis or were taking medication for their mental health.
What happened during Flight 2059?
On Oct. 22, 2023, Emerson was traveling as a passenger in the cockpit jump seat on Horizon Airlines Flight 2059, from Everett, Wash., to San Francisco. During the flight, he allegedly experienced a severe mental breakdown. According to his own retelling and police documents, Emerson threw his headset across the cockpit and declared, “I am not okay.” He then attempted to pull the fire extinguisher handles, which would have shut off the plane’s engines.
Fortunately, the flight crew acted quickly and managed to subdue Emerson before he could cause serious harm. They declared an inflight emergency and diverted the flight to Portland. Emerson was restrained by flight attendants and moved to the back of the plane, preventing any further attempts to sabotage the aircraft.
What was Emerson charged with?
Joseph Emerson.
ABC News
After the plane landed safely, Emerson was charged with 83 counts of attempted murder, one for each person on board, and one federal count of endangering an aircraft. The former pilot remained in custody until December when he pleaded not guilty on all 84 counts and was ultimately allowed to be released on bail.
The judge ruled that his release was contingent on Emerson abiding by several conditions, including not coming within 30 feet of an aircraft, engaging in mental health services and not ingesting any intoxicants, per ABC News.
Why did Emerson try to crash a plane?
During questioning, Emerson revealed that he had taken psychedelic mushrooms for the first time two days before the flight, which he believed triggered his breakdown. He admitted to not having slept for 40 hours and thought he was dreaming during the incident.
Emerson’s defense argued that his actions on Flight 2059 were not driven by any criminal intent but by a panic-induced hallucination, as he allegedly believed he was in a dream and was desperate to wake up. His attorneys asserted that the incident was a tragic misunderstanding, fueled by his poor mental state, and that Emerson never intended to harm anyone on board.
“Simply put: Captain Emerson thought he was in a dream; his actions were taken in a single-minded effort to wake up from that dream and return home to his family,” his defense attorneys said in a statement, per ABC News.
Emerson’s defense team argued that the case was more about mental health than malice. The former pilot’s wife, Sarah Stretch, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that despite the unfortunate events, she hoped it would lead to more pilots getting the help they needed.
“I’m saddened that this situation had to happen to my husband and to these people that it affected, but I know that this has created a movement to help thousands of other pilots and people in mental health situations,” Stretch told CBS News Bay Areain December 2023.
What was the FAA’s response to Emerson’s case?
Joseph Emerson in Lie to Fly.
FX Networks/Youtube
The incident involving Emerson highlighted significant issues within the aviation industry, particularly regarding pilot mental health.
The FAA’s regulations often deter pilots from seeking help for fear of losing their jobs, according to The New York Times. The organization has historically banned pilots with depression from flying or using prescription medication over concerns about their ability to safely operate an airplane. It wasn’t until 2010 that the FAA approved certain antidepressants for pilots with mild or moderate depression.
However, at the time pilots on these medications were grounded for months during a monitoring period, and the approval process to return to flying could take even longer — with no guarantee of success.
The potential impact on careers has led many pilots to either hide their treatment, risking penalties of up to $250,000, or avoid seeking help altogether, aviation doctors, lawyers and pilots told The New York Times.
In November 2023, shortly after Emerson’s alleged breakdown, the FAA announced it would create a Pilot Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to address barriers preventing pilots from reporting mental health issues. The committee, consisting of medical experts and aviation and labor representatives, will review and recommend improvements based on recent advancements in mental health care.
The FAA announced that their efforts would include better mental health training for examiners, supporting research, hiring more mental health professionals and enhancing outreach to pilots.
Where is Joseph David Emerson now?
Emerson lives with his wife, Stretch, and two young sons, in Pleasant Hills, Calif., per The New York Times. He stayed out of the public eye after his December 2023 release from prison, until speaking out for the first time in the August 2024 documentary Lie to Fly.
The FX series further explores the push for reform in FAA regulations to ensure pilots can receive the support they need without jeopardizing public safety. The documentary also examines how Emerson’s best friend’s death deeply affected his mental health, his reluctance to seek help and the events leading up to Flight 2059.
