Joseph Emerson, 44, an off-duty pilot allegedly employed by Alaska Airways, could also be spending a very long time behind bars. Based on a Monday, October 23 report by TMZ, he’s been arrested in Multnomah County, Oregon, after police officers alleged he tried to close down an plane’s engines mid-flight, placing the lives of 83 passengers at risk.

Learn on to search out out what we all know up to now in regards to the weird incident.

What we all know in regards to the flight

Based on ABC Information, the flight in query was from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, California on Sunday, October 23, earlier than it was diverted mid-flight to Portland, Oregon. A “credible safety menace associated to a certified occupant within the flight deck leap seat,” was accountable, the airline reportedly confirmed to the information outlet.

TMZ claims that the flight was truly helmed by a sister airline — Horizon Airways, which is reportedly owned by the corporate that manages Alaska Airways.

What occurred on the flight?

Based on ABC, suspect Emerson allegedly tried to drag the hearth extinguisher handles on the engines, per a preliminary investigation. Flight crew, together with the captain and first officer, reportedly subdued and overwhelmed Emerson with the intention to stop the airplane from crashing.

Based on TMZ, audio was additionally captured of the incident. “We’ve obtained the man that attempted to close the engines down out of the cockpit and he doesn’t sound like he’s inflicting any challenge within the again proper now, I believe he’s subdued,” somebody reportedly says within the clip. “We would like regulation enforcement as quickly as we get on the bottom and parked.” The outlet additionally reported that based on police, Emerson was seated within the cockpit’s leap seat when he tried the alleged act.

ABC Information reviews {that a} federal official informed them Emerson was handcuffed to a seat till the airplane landed.

What occurs to the suspect now?

Based on ABC Information, the Port of Portland confirmed on Monday that Joseph David Emerson was taken into custody over the alleged incident. Per the information outlet, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Workplace says he’s charged with 83 counts of tried homicide, in addition to 83 counts of reckless endangerment and at last, a felony rely of endangering an plane.