Holy moly. It’s not uncommon to see stories of flights diverting due to safety concerns over unruly passengers. However, it’s not usually a person in the cockpit who is the cause of concern. That’s what makes this story from yesterday so wild.
In this post:
Flight diverts after “credible security threat” in cockpit
This incident happened on Sunday, October 22, 2023, and involves Alaska Airlines flight AS2059, scheduled to fly from Everett (PAE) to San Francisco (SFO). The 710-mile flight was operated by Alaska’s regional subsidiary, Horizon Air, using an almost new Embraer E175 with the registration code N660QX. Long story short, the flight ended up diverting to Portland while enroute.
Let me just directly quote the internal memo that Alaska Airlines has sent employees regarding this incident, because wow:
On October 22, Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 operated by Horizon Air from Everett, WA (PAE) to San Francisco, CA (SFO) reported a credible security threat related to an authorized occupant in the flight deck jump seat. No weapons were involved, and the crew was able to secure the cabin without incident. Following appropriate FAA procedures and guidance from air traffic control, the flight safely diverted to Portland International Airport (PDX). the incident is being investigated by law enforcement authorities. All passengers onboard were reaccommodated on a later flight with a new crew and new aircraft. We recognize how concerning this incident must have been and we are deeply grateful to our crew for everyone’s professionalism throughout this experience.
This is an active investigation. We will share details as we are able. In the meantime, we ask that you respect the privacy of the crew involved and do not share crew lists or contact those involved.
What exactly was this security threat? VASAviation has already published a video about what happened, with the air traffic control audio. It would appear that the person in the jump seat tried to shut down both of the plane’s engines. He was then removed from the cockpit and placed in the cabin, where he reportedly calmed down.
Off-duty pilot charged with 83 counts of attempted murder
The man who caused this incident is a 44-year-old California resident who is a mainline pilot at Alaska Airlines. He was arrested upon arrival in Portland, and has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder (reflecting the number of people onboard the aircraft).
This pilot first worked for Virgin America, before moving to Alaska Airlines when the two carriers merged. He was trying to commute in the jump seat, as it was a full flight, so he couldn’t get a seat in the cabin.
What a bizarre and terrifying incident
For those not familiar with the jump seat, this is the seat in the cockpit behind the two seats for the pilots who are flying.
Jump seats are used for a variety of reasons — they’re sometimes used during training, and if the passenger cabin of a plane is full, they can also be used by select airline employees looking to hitch a ride. Airlines are really selective with who can sit in jump seats, as they’re reserved for pilots, select mechanics, etc. Cockpit security is taken really seriously, for obvious reasons — you don’t want anyone who hasn’t been vetted in the cockpit during critical phases of flight.
Yet for whatever reason, an Alaska Airlines mainline pilot who has been at the airline for many years is accused of trying to shut down both of the aircraft’s engines while inflight. It goes without saying that this is really dark. Was the person under the influence of some substance? What were his intentions with doing this?
If there’s any silver lining, I guess we should be happy this happened when he was in the jump seat, and not while he was one of the pilots flying. Imagine if he tried this while he was at the controls, and the other pilot was on a bathroom break (with only a flight attendant standing in the cockpit).
I’m sure there will be transparency in this investigation, so I’m really curious to see what comes of this.
Bottom line
A Horizon Air jet diverted last night after an Alaska Airlines pilot seated in the jump seat caused a “credible security threat” in the cockpit, as he apparently tried to shut down both of the engines. The man has now been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder, which shows just how serious of an incident this was. Wow.
What do you make of this bizarre incident?
Scary. Strange coincidence that this post is right underneath one about an Air Greenland Dash 8 flight. I was fortunate enough on a very empty Air Greenland Dash 8 flight a couple of years ago to sit jump seat in the cockpit from SFJ to Nuuk and it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten to do in my life - especially the landing. I get it why that’s normally not allowed, but...
Scary. Strange coincidence that this post is right underneath one about an Air Greenland Dash 8 flight. I was fortunate enough on a very empty Air Greenland Dash 8 flight a couple of years ago to sit jump seat in the cockpit from SFJ to Nuuk and it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten to do in my life - especially the landing. I get it why that’s normally not allowed, but it sucks that a few crazies ruin it for everybody. Glad all on the Horizon flight ended up safe.
Seems more consistent with a threat than actual intent. I would imagine a 6'1" 210 pound male who was intent on pulling the shut off levers would be able to get to it while the two seatbelted guys in front of him were tasked with flying the plane.
I'm a flight attendant for a major carrier.. this is beyond bizarre and terrifying. I'm afraid to speculate. But I will take the mental illness angle until we know further.
Suicide by pilot: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_by_pilot
Frightening and beyond that. Flew Alaska the day before. An off-duty pilot, no less. So much for safety and security. Who can you trust. I take it the slow-to-react (think Boeing MAX) FAA hasn't even suspended (never mind revoke) his CPL yet, so he's good to go. Well, not sitting in a jail cell facing 83 counts of attempted murder. Unbelievable, but believable in our crazy world. Think German Wings.
He obviously has some kind of mental health problem and needs to be examined by a psychiatrist. Pilots are just a susceptible to mental health problems as the rest of us.
Another round of regulations and procedures will not stop these bizarre, rare events.
Agree that he has mental issues. He also needs to have his license revoked.
Seattle area
Horizon Air
Sounds very familiar to the Q400 incident.
Automation solves this problem.
"Automation solves this problem."
You really never have anything new to add, do you? Almost like your responses are... automated!!!
LMFAO, You don't even deny automation doesn't solve this problem.
Downside of automation is that it is going to eliminate all jobs for people.
Nothing is 100 percent hackproof.
LMFAO, you don't even deny you're a completely broken record.
"Automation solves this problem" is a statement in the same vein as "a cure for cancer will solve that problem": technically true, but uninsightful, overly simplistic, and mostly irrelevant. In fact, I'd wager we'll see a cure for cancer sooner than we'll completely eliminate the human component from aviation. Skeptical we'll see either in our lifetimes, though.
Until it’s hacked. The NSA was hacked. The Pentagon was hacked. Even Hillary was hacked. And automation definitely doesn’t take care of all emergencies in the air or pick it’s way through thunderstorms and a whole lot more.
It’s all pilots. It could just as easily have been one of the flying pilots. If some type of jumpseat ban came down, then you are guaranteeing that the next time someone lost their shit there would only be one other pilot to fight them off while trying to simultaneously fly the plane. I’d much rather have another pilot on the Jumpseat to help me vice dealing with that shit by myself. I’m not advocating...
It’s all pilots. It could just as easily have been one of the flying pilots. If some type of jumpseat ban came down, then you are guaranteeing that the next time someone lost their shit there would only be one other pilot to fight them off while trying to simultaneously fly the plane. I’d much rather have another pilot on the Jumpseat to help me vice dealing with that shit by myself. I’m not advocating for any jumpseat changes, as this is a one off incident, just saying that if anyone were to be for a change on the grounds of a “rogue” pilot, it should be to mandate a jumpseater, not eliminate one.
It isn't just pilots that are allowed in the jumpseat. Maintenance personnel, flight dispatchers, and federal aviation employees may also be allowed. They must all be entered into a cockpit access system called CASS. This must be verified prior to issuance of a jumpseat boarding pass.
SA - Any more information about security protocol you'd like to share with the world?
It’s common knowledge, not a breach of the official secrets act
He was arrested and booked in on 83 counts of attempted murder. Booking Information
SWIS ID
841644
Name
Emerson, Joseph David
Age
44
Gender
Male
Race
White
Height
6 ft 1 in
Weight
210 lbs
Hair
XXX
Eyes
Blue
Arresting Agency
Port of Portland
Booking Date
10/23/2023 04:11 AM
Assigned Facility
...
He was arrested and booked in on 83 counts of attempted murder. Booking Information
SWIS ID
841644
Name
Emerson, Joseph David
Age
44
Gender
Male
Race
White
Height
6 ft 1 in
Weight
210 lbs
Hair
XXX
Eyes
Blue
Arresting Agency
Port of Portland
Booking Date
10/23/2023 04:11 AM
Assigned Facility
MCDC
Projected Release Date
Unknown
Charges
Click on each court case number to expand the display and see the charges.
Court Case No. None
DA Case No. None
Citation No. None
ATT MURDER I (A Felony)
Bail: $0
Immediate Jail for trying to interfere with airplane controls which could result in death and injury of all on board.
Put a barrier between jump seat and pilot copilot and all controls
That's ridiculous. This exact same person could have been at the controls of a different flight. A barrier doesn't do anything to solve this.
Do you know what a JPS is ? What kind of barrier ?
Pilots, dispatchers and FAA personnel are permitted to occupy the cockpit jumpseat.
Reminds me of Federal Express Flight 705.
Thank god it didn't get to that point, because there were no additional passengers on Flight 705
A flight one minute more than 8 hours saved FedEx.
Book “Hijacked” a tense read.
Worse case scenario: psychotic episode in a pilot with no previous inkling
Best case scenario: Discussion and disagreement followed by jumpseat pilot standing suddenly and captain misinterpreted intent.
Unlikely that a psychotic episode occurs with "no inkling." More likely, it is part of a change in behavior that one or more people may be aware of but do not address and/or write off as a passing phase. In the case of a pilot and other personnel with the ability to engage in highly lethal acts, impulsive or otherwise, there needs to be a version of "see something/say something" along with active corporate psychological/behavioral...
Unlikely that a psychotic episode occurs with "no inkling." More likely, it is part of a change in behavior that one or more people may be aware of but do not address and/or write off as a passing phase. In the case of a pilot and other personnel with the ability to engage in highly lethal acts, impulsive or otherwise, there needs to be a version of "see something/say something" along with active corporate psychological/behavioral surveillance and easy, non-stigmatizing access to professional support and care: a tall order and one not without its vulnerabilities
AT controllers have been eligible for the jump seat for “fam” flights as well. Has that been stopped?
I don't THINK that's been a thing since 9/11. Or at least not as common. My dad is a retired ATC, and I remember him FAM-ing all over the world when I was a kid. My brother is now an ATC, and I don't think he ever got to. I think they get their "familiarization" via other means, and it's no longer a perk to be able to travel that way. Maybe it's changed in the past few years, since I asked him about it, though.
It’s still allowed, limit 2 flights per year.
Meteorologists who did aviation forecasting also used to be allowed to ride jump seat on "fam" flights. I'm sure that also ended with 9/11.
Flight deck training for controllers resumed in the early 2010s. It was shut down again during COVID and has not resumed since. One of the present justifications for keeping it locked is the horrendous staffing levels at facilities, meaning most controllers wouldn't be able to partake anyways.
Beyond that, unless this incident is going to be used to stop any non-required flight deck access (including to other pilots jumpseating), this shouldn't have any impact on...
Flight deck training for controllers resumed in the early 2010s. It was shut down again during COVID and has not resumed since. One of the present justifications for keeping it locked is the horrendous staffing levels at facilities, meaning most controllers wouldn't be able to partake anyways.
Beyond that, unless this incident is going to be used to stop any non-required flight deck access (including to other pilots jumpseating), this shouldn't have any impact on resumption... when and if that happens to begin with.
Pilots are not the only ones who are permitted to occupy a flight deck Jumpseat. Certificated and qualified dispatchers are also permitted.
Whom else would be allowed to sit in the Jumpseat?
Obviously pilots like you mentioned.
I know ATC can also ride in the jumpseats.
Whom else?
"Whom else would be allowed to sit in the Jumpseat?"
Me?
I was in the jumpseat for the final 20 minutes of flight and landing in a major European hub airport after a flight from JNB a few months ago. It was one of the highlights of my life (Yes, I'm that sad and empty).
That said, this Horizon incident also brings to mind the FedEx 705 incident back in 1994. I have a book about that, very scary incident indeed.
Staff on standby are permitted, although it’s prohibited between / in some countries and I believe the US is included and normally only for the airline you are employed by.
Sam Chui apparently.. there goes his next vlog.
It also depends on the country. Some countries are more strict than others. For example, I remember reading that a prominent Middle Eastern airline does not allow anyone other than the Pilots/Flight Attendants in the cockpit at all times (I can't remember the airline).
Meanwhile, I have flown in the jumpseat on PIA on a domestic flight a couple of times. I knew the pilot and he allowed me to stay there for the entire...
It also depends on the country. Some countries are more strict than others. For example, I remember reading that a prominent Middle Eastern airline does not allow anyone other than the Pilots/Flight Attendants in the cockpit at all times (I can't remember the airline).
Meanwhile, I have flown in the jumpseat on PIA on a domestic flight a couple of times. I knew the pilot and he allowed me to stay there for the entire duration of the flight. It was truly a memorable and once in a lifetime experience (for me).
Years ago my wife and I were flying Air New Zealand from Auckland to Sydney and the purser invited us to stand in the cockpit as we were on approach to Sydney. We had to go back to our seats before final approach and landing but still an amazing view as we prepared to land. Obviously passengers aren't allowed in the cockpit now.
I have sat in a jump seat on a private jet at...
Years ago my wife and I were flying Air New Zealand from Auckland to Sydney and the purser invited us to stand in the cockpit as we were on approach to Sydney. We had to go back to our seats before final approach and landing but still an amazing view as we prepared to land. Obviously passengers aren't allowed in the cockpit now.
I have sat in a jump seat on a private jet at a former company all the way through landing. Again, it was an amazing experience. This was after 9/11 so no restrictions, at least at that time, regarding cockpit access for passengers on private jets.
Imagine using "whom" wrong, twice ... in order to sound smart.
Dispatchers can ride there as well. Mechanics. A few others …
Aircraft Dispatchers have to “jumpseat” also getting 5 hours once a year FAA mandated training, not just pilots are the only one…
Brings to mind that Germanwings flight in 2015
Horizon Air (Alaska Airlines) had a Dash-8-400 crash due to suicide. No passengers or other crew was aboard.
Yikes. Definitely want to hear the full story, as the description is kind of vague as to whether there was (much of a) physical struggle, or a mostly verbal disagreement that got out of hand.
Still, cray. Imagine, assuming there was a struggle, if one of the authorized pilots had been out of the cockpit on lav break or something....
Yeah they describe it as 'one moment' 'a little bit overboard' - though in the next comm say it briefly was a 'Level 4' - the highest threat.
Maybe he reached for the controls, got agitated, and they pulled his arm away with no struggle.
when i say controls i mean the shutoff controls