Ex-pilot accused of trying to cut a passenger flight’s engines reaches plea deals, his lawyer says
September 4, 2025
A former Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to cut the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 has reached plea deals with federal and state prosecutors. Joseph Emerson was riding in an extra seat in the cockpit of a Horizon Air flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco and was subdued by the crew. The plane landed safely in Portland, Oregon. Court records show Emerson is due to appear in state and federal court in Oregon on Friday. His attorney says Emerson reached plea agreements with prosecutors to take responsibility for his actions and in hopes of avoiding further time behind bars.