"Why Do This... US Pilot Tried to Shut Off Engine Mid-Flight, Nearly Causing 84 Passengers to Fall"

Disturbance in Extra Seats... Subdued by Captain, Portland Investigators Say "No Terrorism Involved"

An American pilot who attempted to shut down the engines of a passenger plane carrying 84 passengers mid-air has been arrested on attempted murder charges.

Alaska Airlines aircraft. [Photo by Getty Images Bank]

According to major foreign media on the 23rd (local time), Portland police in Oregon announced that they arrested Joseph Emerson (44), the pilot of the passenger plane, on charges including 83 counts of attempted murder.

The incident occurred the previous afternoon on Horizon Air Flight 2059, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines, traveling from Everett, Washington to San Francisco, California.

Emerson, who was on board the passenger plane, suddenly attempted to shut down the engines from the cockpit but was subdued by the captain and other pilots.

Emerson was off duty at the time and was reportedly seated in a spare seat prepared in the cockpit according to industry practice.

The flight then made an emergency landing in Portland, and Emerson was handed over to the police. He was charged with 83 counts of attempted murder and other offenses.

It is still unclear why Emerson committed such an act.

Adam Silverson, president of the California pilots' group NRI Flying Club, recalled Emerson as a family-oriented and kind person, calling Emerson's actions "completely insane."

Portland investigative authorities stated that the incident is not related to terrorism.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also said, "This incident is not related in any way or form to events currently occurring worldwide."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.