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An off-duty pilot has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder after allegedly attempting to crash an Alaska Airlines flight on Sunday night.
According to the airline’s statement, the suspect was seated in the cockpit jump seat behind the captain and first officer on Alaska Airlines’ flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, California.
The police booking documents identify the suspect as 44-year-old Joseph David Emerson.
The flight, Alaska Airlines 2059, was en way from Everett to San Francisco with 80 passengers on board. Authorities rerouted it towards Portland, Oregon, and detained the man without incident.
In a statement, Alaska Airlines said that the off-duty pilot was traveling in the flight deck jump seat when he made an unsuccessful effort to interfere with the operation of the aircraft’s engines.
Air traffic control was informed of the event by crew members of Alaska Airlines Flight 2059.
In the air traffic control communication recording, a pilot can be heard saying, “We have the man that tried to infiltrate the cockpit. They did not get into the cockpit. It is secure and we would like to make a request to have law enforcement meet the aircraft.”
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The pilot further added, “I think he is a little distraught. I suppose he’s got a screw loose.”
Horizon Air, the operator of the flight, had originally scheduled it to depart at 5:25 PM and arrive in San Francisco at 7:30 PM. However, the flight was redirected towards Portland and eventually departed for its planned destination at 7:18 PM.
Passenger Aubrey Guyel claimed that at the time, passengers were unaware of any concerns with the aircraft until a flight attendant subsequently indicated the necessity for an expedient landing due to a medical emergency.
Guyel indicated that the situation was handled professionally and passengers were not aware of the full details of the occurrence.
In a statement, Alaska Airlines ensured that all passengers on board the Horizon Air-operated flight were accommodated for their continuing journey.
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The airline continued by stating, “We are grateful to the Horizon Air employees who handled the situation professionally and commend our guests for their patience and understanding throughout the event.”
According to Alaska Airlines, both the FBI and the Port of Portland Police Department are looking into this event.
The FBI acknowledged in a statement that they are looking into the incident and informed travelers that there is no longer a threat associated with it.
Mr. Emerson is accused of 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft in addition to the attempted murder accusations. He was being kept in custody in Multnomah County while the inquiry was ongoing.
When he will be arraigned in court has not yet been made clear by the authorities.
It was made clear to American airlines on Monday by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the incident “is not connected in any way to current international events.”
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67177294
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