A pilot employed by Alaska Air Group Inc. is being charged with attempted murder in 83 cases for allegedly attempting to cut power to an aircraft’s engines during a flight.
In a statement released on Monday by Alaska Airlines, it was mentioned that the individual in question was a passenger in the cockpit jump seat during a flight on October 22nd and attempted to “unsuccessfully interfere with the operation of the engines.”
The flight, operated by Alaska’s regional subsidiary Horizon Air, was en route from Seattle to San Francisco but was safely diverted to Portland, Oregon, where the suspect was apprehended by law enforcement.
The statement from Alaska mentioned, “The Horizon captain and first officer acted quickly, power was not lost to the engines, and the crew safely landed the plane without incident.” No injuries were reported, and passengers were rebooked on a subsequent flight.
A spokesperson for the Port of Portland identified the suspect as Joseph Emerson. Calls to Emerson’s cellphone were directed straight to voicemail, and it wasn’t immediately clear whether he had retained an attorney.
Emerson, 44, resides in the San Francisco Bay Area according to his pilot license registered with the Federal Aviation Administration.
The incident is under investigation by law enforcement agencies including the FBI and local police. In addition to the charges of attempted murder, Emerson faces 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft, according to booking information from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday afternoon. In a statement from the FBI, it was mentioned, “We can assure the traveling public that there is no ongoing threat related to this incident.”
The FAA, in a separate statement, indicated that they are in contact with Alaska and Horizon airlines and are supporting law enforcement’s investigations.
© www.aerohaber.com | www.tr.aerohaber.com
Note: Aviation news on our news site cannot be used without citing the source.
