He became an Alaska Airlines Captain in 2019. Emerson became an Alaska Airlines First Officer following Alaska’s acquisition of Virgin America in 2016. In June 2012, Emerson left Horizon to join Virgin America as a pilot. We are grateful for the patience of our guests throughout this event and are reaching out to each of them individually to discuss their experience and check-in on their well-being.Ĭaptain Emerson joined Alaska Air Group as a Horizon First Officer in August 2001. Our crew responded without hesitation to a difficult and highly unusual situation, and we are incredibly proud and grateful for their skillful actions.įollowing appropriate FAA procedures and guidance from Air Traffic Control, the flight was safely diverted to Portland International Airport (PDX). Captain Emerson is currently in custody and the event is being investigated by law enforcement authorities, which includes the FBI and the Port of Portland Police Department.Īll passengers on board were able to complete their journey with a new crew and aircraft. In this case, the quick reaction of our crew to reset the T-handles ensured engine power was not lost. If the T-handle is fully deployed, a valve in the wing closes to shut off fuel to the engine. The fire suppression system consists of a T-handle for each engine. The Horizon Captain and First Officer quickly responded, and the crew secured the aircraft without incident.Įngine power was not lost despite the off-duty pilot’s attempt to shut down the engines by engaging the Engine Fire Handle, also known as the fire suppression system. Captain Emerson unsuccessfully attempted to disrupt the operation of the engines. 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 off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot, identified as Captain Joseph Emerson, who was traveling in the flight deck jump seat. Working together, consistent with their training, they performed their critical roles exceptionally well, representing the best of their profession. We are deeply proud of our Horizon flight crew and their quick actions both in the flight deck and in the rear of the aircraft. Consistent with our pilots’ collective bargaining agreement, we are consulting with our partners in labor regarding his employment status. 22, Emerson was removed from service indefinitely, relieved from all duties and is no longer employed at Alaska Airlines. This can include random testing before or after a flight, as well as reasonable suspicion testing of on-duty Pilots and Flight Attendants. Department of Transportation (DOT) has a mandatory drug testing program for on-duty crew members that is administered by all airlines, including Alaska and Horizon consistent with our zero-tolerance policy for any substance abuse. Our crew also confirmed that Emerson attempted to grab the handle of the emergency exit during the aircraft’s descent before being stopped by a Flight Attendant. Upon exiting the flight deck, both Flight Attendants confirmed that Emerson was escorted by a Flight Attendant to the rear of the aircraft where Emerson was placed in wrist restraints and belted into the aft jump seat. The details in the DOJ affidavit describing the actions of our flight crew are consistent with our understanding of what occurred based on debriefings with each member of the flight crew. All Gate Agents and Flight Attendants are trained to identify signs and symptoms of impairment.Īt no time during the check-in or boarding process did our Gate Agents or flight crew observe any signs of impairment that would have led them to prevent Emerson from flying on Flight 2059. He was approved to join the flight as a passenger and was seated in the flight deck jump seat. Following well-established, FAA-mandated practices to authorize a jump-seat passenger, our Gate Agent confirmed that Emerson was an off-duty pilot for Alaska Airlines. 22, Emerson approached Horizon Air Gate Agents overseeing the boarding process for Flight 2059. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Criminal Complaint pertaining to Captain Joseph Emerson and, like many, are deeply disturbed by what we have learned. Alaska Airlines is committed to sharing as much information as we can while respecting the ongoing federal and state criminal investigations and court proceedings.
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