A former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to disable the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 while under the lingering effects of psychedelic mushrooms pleaded guilty to various related charges, formally closing one of the most alarming air-safety incidents in recent memory.
Joseph Emerson, riding off-duty in the cockpit jump seat of a Horizon Air flight, attempted to cut the engines on a trip from Everett, Wash., to San Francisco. More than 80 passengers were aboard. The crew diverted to Portland for an emergency landing and Emerson was restrained by the flight crew.
Earlier he had pleaded not guilty, but on Friday, Emerson pleaded guilty to interfering with a flight crew and entered no contest pleas in Oregon state court to 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft.
Emerson had taken psilocybin mushrooms two days prior to the flight during a camping trip to mourn a friend’s death. He later reported experiencing hallucinations and said he believed he was in a dream state. He described the cockpit incident as an attempt to “wake up.” He had not slept for more than 40 hours.
Prosecutors noted that Emerson may have suffered from hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, a condition sometimes linked to psychedelic use.
Under his plea agreements, Emerson was sentenced to 50 days in jail, time he has already served. He will serve five years of probation, 664 hours of community service, and $60,569 in restitution, mostly payable to Alaska Air Group. Federal sentencing is set for Nov. 17, where he faces a maximum of 20 years but will likely see that reduced greatly.
The case comes at a time when citizens of Alaska are considering whether to legalize psychedelic mushrooms. A ballot initiative is currently gathering signatures that could put the question before voters. Emerson’s case may serve as a warning about the risks of hallucinogen use and its lingering effects. The ballot measure, as approved by the Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor, characterizes mushrooms as “natural medicine.”
