44-year-old Joseph Emerson, the (former) Alaska Airlines pilot who nearly killed 83 people on board Alaska Flight 2059 after a mushroom-induced hallucination, is pleading for a reduced sentence ahead of his criminal trial.
Magic Mushroom Pilot at Alaska Airlines: “I take responsibility for the decisions I made”
Emerson is no longer charged with attempted murder, but with endangering an aircraft and 83 counts of minor endangerment. As his trial approached, he and his wife appeared together on ABC’s Good Morning America to reflect on what happened:
“Ultimately, I take responsibility for the decisions I made.”
“I hope that when society judges me, it will not only take into account the 30 seconds of this event, but my entire experience.”
FIRST ON @GMA: Former Alaska Airlines pilot who attempted to shut down engines during flight tells his story.
“There are 30 seconds of my life that I would like to change, but I can’t.”@GioBenitezhttps://t.co/TThz75SE5q pic.twitter.com/mlGSYe6RpI
— Good Morning America (@GMA) 23 August 2024
I think that’s fair. I find his interview and remorse after the incident helpful in establishing that this was an unexpected event and outside any norm for side effects from mushroom use. It’s important that he (even) after the incident asked to be restrained and tied up for the rest of AS2059.
However, I believe Emerson has forfeited his right to become a commercial airline pilot. While I have no less respect for him as a man and fellow human being, there should be no second chances for incidents like this. After all, he chose to take the controlled substance, and even if the likelihood of harmful side effects was exponentially low (especially two days later), it was still a risk he took by taking the drug.
And let’s face it, sometimes our lives are judged – unfairly or not – in 30 seconds. Some decisions are so fateful. This was one such decision. There is no way to take it back.
Emerson has been through a lot and still has a long road ahead of him. I see no reason to put him in prison for what he has done… I think having his commercial pilot’s license permanently revoked is punishment enough. Finding a new career at 44 will not be an easy task.
I’m glad he’s not just trying to make excuses for his behavior. Kudos to him for taking responsibility for his decisions.
> Learn more: Alaska Airlines pilot charged with 83 counts of attempted murder after committing malicious act in cockpit
> Learn more: Who is Joseph David Emerson, the Alaska Airlines pilot accused of attempted murder?
Image: Joseph Emerson/Facebook
