Image supply, Getty Images
A file picture of an Alaska Airlines flight
An off-duty pilot has been charged with 83 counts of tried homicide, after he allegedly tried to crash a passenger jet throughout a flight on Sunday night time.
The suspect was sitting within the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight behind the captain and the first-officer, in accordance to an airline assertion.
A police reserving doc named the suspect as Joseph David Emerson, 44.
The flight was on its method from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, California, with 80 passengers aboard.
It was diverted to Portland, Oregon, and the suspect was subdued with out incident, officers stated.
In an announcement, Alaska Airlines stated the off-duty pilot was touring within the flight deck bounce seat, when he “unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the operation of the engines.”
Crew members on Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 reported the incident to air site visitors management.
In a recording of air site visitors management communication, one of the pilots was heard saying: “We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit, and he doesn’t sound like he’s causing any issue in the back right now.”
“I think he’s subdued,” the pilot added. He requested police presence “as soon as we get on the ground and parked”.
The flight, operated by Horizon Air, was scheduled to take off at 17:25 native time and arrive in San Francisco at 19:30.
However, the flight was diverted to Portland and finally took off from there to its supposed vacation spot at 19:18.
“All passengers on board were able to travel on a later flight,” an announcement by Alaska Airlines stated.
“We are grateful for the professional handling of the situation by the Horizon flight crew and appreciate our guests’ calm and patience throughout this event,” the airline added.
The incident is now being investigated by the Port of Portland Police Department and the FBI, Alaska Airlines stated.
In an announcement, the FBI confirmed it was investigating and stated it “can assure the traveling public there is no continuing threat related to this incident”.
In addition to the tried homicide prices, Mr Emerson additionally faces 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one rely of endangering an plane. He was lodged at Multnomah County Detention Center whereas the investigation continues.
Officials stated they have been not sure when he can be arraigned.
On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration despatched steerage to US air carriers that the incident was “not connected in any way shape or form to current world events”.
