On Sunday, an Alaska Airlines flight made an unexpected diversion to Portland International Airport in Oregon following an incident involving an off-duty Alaska pilot attempting to interfere with the aircraft’s engines, officials said.
Horizon Air was responsible for the operation of Alaska Airlines Flight 2059, which was en route from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco before being diverted and landing safely. It’s worth noting that pilots frequently utilize jump seats in the cockpit for their commuting needs.
According to Alaska Airlines, “The jump seat occupant unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the operation of the engines. The Horizon Captain and First Officer quickly responded, engine power was not lost, and the crew secured the aircraft without incident.”
A recorded communication from LiveATC seemed to suggest that one of the flight’s pilots reported the individual’s attempt to shut down the engines. The recording stated, “We’ve got the guy who tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit and he doesn’t sound like he’s causing any issue in the back now. Other than that we want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked.”
The flight’s pilot successfully landed the plane in Portland without any reported injuries, as confirmed by Kieran Ramsey, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Portland. Ramsey assured the traveling public that there was no ongoing threat related to this incident.
The off-duty pilot involved, 44-year-old Joseph David Emerson, is now in custody and faces charges including 83 counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment, and endangering an aircraft, according to records from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.
The pilots’ union refrained from immediate comment on the situation.
News by Breaking911
