In a shocking turn of events, Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson, under the influence of magic mushrooms, attempted to shut down a passenger plane mid-flight. While riding as an off-duty pilot on flight 2059, Emerson, struggling with mental health, thought he was dreaming and reached for the fire-suppression handles, aiming to disable the engines. His actions were driven by the belief that it would “wake him up” from his hallucinations. Fortunately, the crew intervened, and the flight safely diverted. Emerson now faces serious charges, deeply regretting the terrifying moment he says he cannot undo.

In a harrowing incident over the skies of the Pacific Northwest, an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot’s attempt to bring down a plane mid-flight stunned both passengers and crew. Joseph Emerson, who was riding in the cockpit’s jump seat, had ingested magic mushrooms two days earlier in an effort to cope with his depression. Under the influence of hallucinations, he made a reckless attempt to disable the aircraft’s engines. His actions, later described as “unfathomable,” led to his indictment on multiple counts of endangerment, leaving the aviation world—and the passengers on board—reeling from the terrifying ordeal.

The Shocking Incident: Pilot’s Hallucinatory Actions Mid-Flight

On October 22, 2023, a routine flight turned into a life-threatening ordeal when Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson, under the influence of magic mushrooms, tried to disable the aircraft’s engines mid-flight. Emerson, riding as an off-duty pilot in the jump seat, believed he was trapped in a dream-like state and took drastic measures to “wake up.” While the plane was cruising at 30,000 feet, he reached for the fire-suppression handles, which, if activated, would have cut off the engines’ fuel supply.

Hallucinations Fuel a Dangerous Descent

Emerson had taken magic mushrooms two days before the flight, hoping to ease his depression after the death of his best friend. But the drug induced vivid hallucinations, and Emerson became convinced that the situation was unreal. In an attempt to escape, he grabbed the fire-suppression levers, thinking this would wake him from his nightmare. “This is not real, I need to wake up,” he said later in an interview, reflecting on the terrifying moment.

The Crew’s Swift Response and Emergency Landing

Fortunately, the quick-thinking flight crew was able to intervene before Emerson could carry out his dangerous plan. They subdued him and safely removed him from the cockpit as the plane was diverted to Portland. Despite the chaos, the flight landed without incident, and all 80-plus passengers were unharmed.

The Legal Consequences: Reckless Endangerment Charges

In the wake of the event, Emerson was arrested and later indicted on 83 counts of reckless endangerment—one for each person on board. He was also charged with endangering an aircraft in the first degree. Emerson pleaded not guilty, but the legal proceedings continue, with the former pilot deeply regretful of his actions. He described the moment as “unfathomable” and took full responsibility for his reckless behavior.

A US pilot, under the influence of magic mushrooms, attempted to disable the engines of a passenger plane mid-flight. He later described his actions as “unfathomable” and deeply regretted his behavior. While flying as an off-duty pilot on flight 2059, Emerson reached for the fire-suppression handles, believing he was trapped in a dream. The crew quickly intervened, preventing a disaster. Emerson admitted to taking the mushrooms to cope with depression and hallucinated during the flight. His actions led to multiple charges, and he faces serious legal consequences, including reckless endangerment.

Justice and Reflection Await

Emerson’s actions serve as a chilling reminder of the potential dangers of substance use, particularly in high-risk environments like aviation. While he faces a long legal battle, the incident sparks broader conversations about mental health, drug use, and safety in aviation. As Emerson awaits trial, his story serves as a sobering example of how a brief lapse in judgment can have life-altering consequences for everyone involved.

What happened in the cockpit that turned hallucinations into an impending tragedy?