Off-duty pilot Joseph Emerson accused of trying to crash Alaska Airlines flight

Joseph David Emerson, 44 has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder after he allegedly tried to crash a passenger jet during a flight on Sunday night. 

The off-duty pilot was sitting in the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight behind the captain and first officer, according to an airline statement. 

The flight was on its way from Everett, Washington to San Franciso, California with 80 passengers. 

The flight was diverted to Portland, Oregon and the suspect was subdued without incident, officials said. 

Alaska Airlines released a statement saying he “unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the operation of the engines”.

Crew members on Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 reported the incident to air traffic control.

In a recording of air traffic control communication, one of the pilots was heard saying: “We’ve got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit, and he doesn’t sound like he’s causing any issue in the back right now.”

“I think he’s subdued,” the pilot added. He requested police presence “as soon as we get on the ground and parked”.