Pilot's dangerous act of eating mushrooms: Panic in mid-air

Former pilot Joseph David Emerson has been convicted in federal court of attempting to shut down a passenger plane's engine in mid-air. Court documents state that Emerson sat in the cockpit on an Alaska Airlines flight on Oct. 22, 2023, feeling unwell and saying "I'm not feeling well" before attempting to shut down the engine.

According to the case, Emerson had been feeling unwell after taking psychedelic mushrooms. The judge sentenced him to one year in prison after the incident. However, due to a plea deal and other considerations, the state court sentenced him to 50 days in prison, which he has already served. He has also been given other sentences.

The incident took place over a period of just 90 seconds. After Emerson was removed from the cockpit, he threatened the flight attendants, "Don't tie me up now, something bad will happen." Flight attendants who spoke to investigators said he threatened to kill everyone.

Eighty passengers on board the flight safely arrived in Oregon en route to San Francisco. Emerson's federal sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 17.