Overview
- Recordings capture Emerson saying "I'm not OK" before the crew radioed that a jumpseater had tried to shut the engines, prompting an immediate diversion to Portland.
- Court materials show he reached for two red fire‑suppression handles designed to cut fuel, after which the crew restrained him, removed him from the cockpit, and landed safely.
- Police video shows Emerson telling officers he was having a nervous breakdown, believed he was dreaming, had taken psychedelic mushrooms two days earlier, and had gone roughly 48 hours without sleep.
- Emerson pleaded guilty federally to interfering with a flight crew and no contest to state endangerment counts, receiving credit for time served, three years of supervised release, five years of probation, about $60,000 in restitution, and community service.
- There were 83 other passengers and crew on board, and since the incident Emerson has entered recovery efforts and helped launch a pilots’ mental‑health nonprofit as the FAA urges pilots to seek help, noting a 0.1% medical denial rate.