PORTLAND, OR – Joseph David Emerson, a 44-year-old off-duty commercial airline pilot, has been charged with interfering with flight crew members and attendants. Emerson was arrested after attempting to shut down the engines of a passenger plane mid-flight.
According to court records, on October 22, Port of Portland police responded to an inbound flight that had diverted its course from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco. The plane landed at Portland International Airport due to an in-flight disturbance involving Emerson, who was in the cockpit’s jump seat.
The responding officers interviewed the plane’s two pilots. They stated that Emerson engaged them in casual conversation before trying to pull two red fire handles. These handles would have activated the plane’s emergency fire suppression system and cut off fuel supply to the engines. A brief physical altercation ensued before Emerson left the cockpit.
Flight attendants restrained Emerson’s wrists and moved him to the rear of the aircraft. During the descent, Emerson attempted to open an emergency exit. A flight attendant thwarted his attempt.
Upon landing in Portland, Emerson was arrested and taken to Multnomah County Detention Center. He faces multiple state charges, including attempted murder and reckless endangerment. Emerson remains in custody on a federal hold and awaits his first federal court appearance.