An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot in the jump seat of a Horizon Air E175 tried to pull the fire extinguisher handles, which would have disabled the engines. The crew was able to stop him and diverted safely.
Alaska Airlines captain Joseph Emerson was traveling home to the San Francisco area sitting in the jump seat of the Horizon Air Embraer E175. Horizon is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alaska Airlines that operates regional flights. The jump seat is a folding seat that allows an extra person to occupy the flight deck while not operating the aircraft. The jump seat is reserved for a specially selected group of aviation professionals that includes pilots, dispatchers, air traffic controllers, and some FAA personnel.
AS2059 was scheduled to operate from Everett, Washington’s Paine Field. The flight pushed back from the gate at 17:26 local time on 22 October and lifted off eight minutes later at 17:34. After the flight reached its initial cruising altitude of 31,000 feet southwest of Portland, Oregon, Emerson allegedly attempted to disable the aircraft’s engines.
Alaska Airlines and authorities say Emerson attempted to discharge the engine fire suppression system, which would stop the engines and cut off fuel flow and hydraulics. On the Embraer E175 (officially known as the E170-200) the fire suppression system is operated by what’s known as a T-handle. The two bright red handles (pictured below) fold down to stop the engines and then must be turned to engage the fire suppression “bottles” in the engine, of which there are two. The criminal complaint against Emerson states that the flight crew was able to prevent him from fully engaging the engine cut offs.
The flight crew was able to stop Emerson from discharging the fire bottles and secured the flight deck, restraining Emerson and moving him to the cabin. The flight crew initiated a diversion to Portland at 18:05 local time and landed safely at 18:25. The aircraft arrived at the gate at 18:30 and was met by law enforcement personnel.
Passengers aboard AS2059 were accommodated by the airline on a later flight. Emerson remains in custody in Portland charged with 83 counts of attempted murder.
Update — 24 October
Emerson has now been charged in federal court with one count of interfering with flight crew members and attendants. You can also read the state criminal complaint against Emerson here.
