Overview

• Joseph Emerson pleaded guilty in federal court to interfering with flight crew members and will be sentenced on Nov. 17, 2025.
• He pleaded no contest in Oregon to 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft and received 50 days credited as time served, five years’ probation, 664 hours of community service and $60,569 in restitution.
• Prosecutors indicated they may recommend up to 12 months in federal custody, though the charge carries a statutory maximum of 20 years and a $250,000 fine.
• The case stems from an Oct. 22, 2023 flight in which Emerson, riding in a cockpit jump seat, tried to pull engine fire handles before the crew subdued him and diverted safely to Portland with 84 people aboard.
• Emerson reported taking psilocybin about 48 hours before the flight, extreme sleep deprivation and a mental health crisis; his licenses were revoked, and his terms require assessments, with some community service allowed at the pilot mental-health nonprofit he co-founded.