Jakarta –
I don’t know what got into this pilot who was on holiday. He entered the cockpit and turned off the engine of the plane in flight. Luckily everyone was safe.
Reporting from CBS, Tuesday (24/10/2023) the flight, which was disrupted by an acting pilot, was Alaska Airlines 2059, operated by Horizon Air. The plane flew from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco with 80 passengers and four crew members, including Emerson, on Sunday (22/10).
As a result, the plane made an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon.
The acting pilot was named Joseph Emerson, 44. The airline explained the chronology of the disturbance in the cockpit by pilot Emerson.
The airline said Emerson made his way to the cockpit seat but failed when he tried to interfere with engine operation. The alleged attempt to shut down the engine occurred about 30 minutes into the flight, at which time the plane was flying at an altitude of about 31,000 feet.
Emerson tried to pull the lever that activated the plane’s engine fire suppression system. If the handle is pulled, a valve in the wing will close and shut off fuel flow to the engine.
“In this case, our crew’s quick reaction to reset the T handle ensured engine power was not lost,” Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Cailee Lyngaas said.
The flight captain and co-pilot managed to stop Emerson and land the plane before 18:30.
The airline’s statement is supported by air traffic control footage during the incident which shows the pilot’s words at that moment.
“We found people from outside the cockpit who came in and tried to turn off the engine,” the pilot said in the recording.
As a result of his actions, Emerson was detained by the police and charged with attempted murder. According to Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office records, Emerson, 44, faces multiple charges including 83 counts of attempted murder.
Quoted from IndependentEmerson was sentenced to 167 counts, including 83 counts of attempted first degree murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of endangering an aircraft.
A Multnomah County Court spokesperson told CBS News that Emerson was sent to prison on Monday (23/10) at 04:11 am and could face trial a day later, on Tuesday (24/10).
In Portland, passengers were transferred to another plane. It was reported that Transportation Security Administration officers were re-screening all passengers to board another plane bound for San Francisco.
“We are grateful for the professional handling of the situation by the Horizon flight crew and appreciate the calm and patience of our guests throughout this event,” Alaska Airlines said.
“This incident is being investigated by law enforcement authorities, including the FBI. And all passengers can travel on future flights,” the airline said.
Watch the video “Seconds of Plane Crashing in Brazil, Pilot and Airport Officer Killed”
(sym/fem)
2023-10-24 12:35:02
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