Pilot Charged with 83 Counts of Attempted Murder

An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot is being charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying late Sunday to kill the engines on a Washington-to-San Francisco flight while he was a cockpit passenger, according to authorities.

Advertisement

The pilot, identified as Joseph David Emerson, 44, is charged with 83 felony counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one charge of endangering an aircraft, according to online booking records from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, in Portland, Oregon.

[No word yet on motive. It’s strange that he tried this from the jump seat rather than when he was the assigned pilot on a flight. Thankfully he’ll never get that chance, but I wonder if we’ll get a good explanation for his actions. — Ed]

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Trending on HotAir Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement