Overview

• Joseph Emerson pleaded guilty in federal court to interfering with flight crew members, with prosecutors set to recommend a 12-month prison term at his Nov. 17 sentencing.
• In Oregon state court, he pleaded no contest to 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of first-degree endangering an aircraft, receiving five years of probation, 664 hours of community service, and $60,569 in restitution, with 50 days in jail credited as time served.
• On Oct. 22, 2023, while riding in a cockpit jump seat, he pulled the engine fire handles; the crew subdued him and diverted the Horizon Air flight to Portland, where police arrested him.
• Court filings state he had taken psilocybin about 48 hours earlier, had not slept for roughly 40–48 hours, was grieving a friend's death, and believed he was dreaming when he acted.
• Authorities revoked his pilot license and medical certificate shortly after the incident, and he later co-founded a pilot mental-health nonprofit as regulators and lawmakers examined cockpit safety and medical policies.