Joseph David Emerson, an off-duty pilot, recently shared his account of an incident in October 2023, where he attempted to crash an Alaska Airlines flight with 83 passengers on board. Emerson explained that his actions were influenced by psychedelic mushrooms he had taken two days before the flight, which led to hallucinations and a sense of detachment from reality. He believed he was trapped in a false reality and attempted to shut down the plane’s engines to “wake up.”
Fortunately, the pilots quickly intervened, preventing any harm. Emerson’s erratic behavior continued, leading him to try to open the cabin door mid-flight, but he was stopped by a flight attendant. Realizing the gravity of his actions, Emerson asked to be handcuffed until the plane landed. Upon landing, he was taken into custody and later diagnosed with Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), a condition that can cause prolonged hallucinations and perception issues.
Initially charged with 83 counts of attempted murder, Emerson’s charges were later reduced to over 80 counts of reckless endangerment. He has expressed deep regret over the incident, stating it was a 30-second lapse that he wishes he could change. He spent 45 days in jail before being released on bond and is now awaiting trial.
