Alaska Airlines Off-Duty Pilot Disables Engine Mid-Flight
A lawsuit has been filed against Alaska Airlines by three passengers following a harrowing incident where an off-duty pilot allegedly attempted to disable the aircraft's engines mid-flight. The incident in question occurred last month on Horizon Air Flight 2059, an affiliate of Alaska Airlines, when pilot Joseph David Emerson, 44, is accused of attempting to engage the engine fire-suppression system, which would have cut off fuel to the engines.
The legal action, reported by the Associated Press and stemming from charging documents in Washington state, claims that Emerson, seated in the cockpit's jump seat, declared himself not alright before reaching for crucial controls. The flight, originally destined for San Francisco from Everett, Washington, on October 22, was urgently diverted to Portland, Oregon. Cabin crew restrained Emerson, who was subsequently arrested after landing.
The plaintiffs—Matthew Doland, Theresa Stelter, and Paul Stephen—in their class action lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court, allege that Emerson was unfit for the cockpit due to depression and sleep deprivation. They describe experiencing severe emotional trauma, including symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and an intensified fear of flying.
News accounts vary, with some passengers reportedly feeling a sensation akin to a "nose-dive," although this has not been universally reported. The lawsuit is seeking unspecified special and general damages to be determined at trial, including compensation for psychological distress and physical suffering.
In addition, the lawsuit calls for an injunction obliging Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air to conduct thorough mental health screenings for all flight crew and jump seat occupants before flights.
Responding to the complaint, Alaska Airlines has expressed pride in their crew's swift actions to maintain safety onboard. Emerson, meanwhile, has entered a not guilty plea in Multnomah County, Oregon, to state charges, which include numerous counts of attempted murder and reckless endangerment.
According to court documents, Emerson had ingested hallucinogenic substances days before and suffered from acute sleep deprivation and depression, mistaking the flight for a dream.
The aviation lawyer representing the plaintiffs, Daniel Laurence, insists that this incident underscores the need for stringent pre-flight security screenings, arguing that such measures could prevent individuals in crisis from boarding aircraft.
The lawsuit comes as a stark reminder of the airline's responsibility to ensure passenger safety and highlights the need for stringent security checks to mitigate potential in-flight risks. Alaska Airlines, on its part, has defended its pre-flight procedures, maintaining that there were no apparent signs of impairment in Emerson before boarding. The passengers were accommodated on another flight to complete their journey to California, the airline confirmed.
