Spouse of Former Alaska Airlines Pilot Expresses Shock Following Thwarted Horizon Air Incident

The spouse of an ex-pilot from Alaska Airlines, who has been accused by prosecutors of attempting to disable the engines of a Horizon Air flight while occupying the cockpit’s jump seat, expressed astonishment over her husband’s detention on Thursday. Sarah Stretch conveyed to the media that although she was aware of her husband Joseph Emerson’s battles with depression, the event left her in a stunned condition.

“I cannot reconcile this with the Joseph I know,” Sarah Stretch stated after witnessing her husband’s initial federal court hearing in Portland, Oregon. “He would never consciously engage in such activities; he is not the individual I married,” she continued, visibly distressed.

Ethan Levi, the legal representative for Emerson, emphasized that his client had no suicidal or homicidal tendencies during the time he was aboard the Horizon Air aircraft. “He did not intend to inflict harm upon himself or others,” Levi elaborated. Furthermore, he noted that Emerson wishes to express gratitude to the flight crew for their “prompt and valiant efforts.”

State and federal authorities have charged Emerson with endeavoring to activate an emergency fire suppression system while he was in the cockpit jump seat of Horizon Air Flight 2059, flying from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco last Sunday. Following a momentary altercation with the plane’s pilots, Emerson was restrained and relocated to the rear of the aircraft, as per legal documentation.

The flight was rerouted to Portland and touched down securely, carrying more than 80 passengers.

Emerson has entered a plea of not guilty to the state allegations of attempted murder. Concurrently, federal prosecutors have charged him with hindering a flight crew, a felony that could result in a maximum sentence of 20 years in incarceration.

According to the charge sheets, Emerson informed law enforcement that he had experienced a mental collapse, was suffering from depression, and had not slept for an extended period of 40 hours. Levi clarified that a friend of Emerson’s, who had also been the best man at his wedding, had passed away approximately six years ago. Additionally, Emerson admitted to consuming psychedelic mushrooms for the first time roughly two days before the incident, although witnesses did not perceive him to be under the influence.

FBI reports indicate that Emerson, who was authorized to occupy the jump seat as an off-duty pilot, conversed casually with the captain and first officer until he attempted to seize two control handles that would have triggered the aircraft’s fire suppression system, thereby shutting off fuel to the engines. After a brief scuffle that lasted around 30 seconds, Emerson exited the cockpit, as stated by the FBI.

Flight attendants subsequently restrained Emerson’s wrists and seated him at the back of the plane. However, as the aircraft began its descent, he attempted to manipulate the emergency exit handle, which was promptly thwarted by a flight attendant.

Alaska Airlines confirmed that Emerson had been dismissed from all responsibilities. His last flight assignment was on October 19, mere days before the Horizon Air incident. Emerson began his career with Horizon as a first officer in 2001. He later joined Virgin America in 2012, which was eventually acquired by Alaska Airlines in 2016. Emerson was promoted to the rank of captain in 2019.

The narrowly avoided catastrophe has sparked renewed discussions concerning the mental well-being of individuals permitted to occupy cockpit spaces.

Alaska Airlines has clarified that Emerson had passed all requisite medical evaluations and that his certifications were never revoked, suspended, or denied.

Emerson is currently under custody.

Claire Rush is a staff reporter for the Big Big News/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a philanthropic national program that positions journalists in local media outlets to cover topics that are often neglected.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Horizon Air Incident

More about Horizon Air Incident

• Horizon Air Incident Official Report
• Alaska Airlines Safety Protocols
• Federal Aviation Regulations on Flight Crew
• Mental Health Assessments in Aviation
• Legal Procedures for Interfering with a Flight Crew
• Background on Depression and Occupational Stress in Pilots
• Report for America Statehouse News Initiative
• Overview of Legal Penalties for Federal Charges in Aviation Incidents