Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot in custody after he ‘tried to shut down jet’s engines in mid-air while riding in cockpit jump seat,’ forcing plane to divert, on Sunday

Joseph David Emerson, 44, faces a slew of homicide related charges including 83 counts of attempted murder

He’s also facing an additional 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft

Emerson reportedly sat in the jump seat beside the operating pilot on board a Embraer 175 plane flying from Everett, WA to San Francisco, Calif

Suspect allegedly, attempted to deploy the fire suppression system before crew members ‘managed to subdue’ him and divert the plane to Portland Airport 

Off duty pilot Joseph David Emerson, [L-R], has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder after trying to kill the engine mid-air, of a full passenger Seattle flight bound for San Francisco, on Sunday, Oct 22

An off-duty pilot accused of trying to shut off the engines on a packed-out Alaska Airlines passenger jet on Sunday has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder. 
Joseph David Emerson, 44, an employee of the airline, faces a slew of homicide related charges, including 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft.
The married father-of-two, who resides in Pleasant Hill, California, east of San Francisco, suffered a mental breakdown before attempting the mile-high escapade on Sunday evening.

Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph David Emerson, has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder after he tried to shut off the engines on a packed-out passenger flight from the same airline on Sunday. He was off duty at the time

Live recording by ATC, of security-threatening event on Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 operated by Horizon Air from Everett, WA (PAE) to San Francisco, Calif., Oct. 22

Emerson is believed to have been sat in the jump seat beside the operating pilot on board a Embraer 175 plane flying from Everett in suburban Seattle to San Francisco. 
The 44-year-old pilot who was said to be off duty is accused of attempting to deploy the fire suppression system before crew members managed to ‘subdue’ him and remove him from the controls, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. 

Joseph David Emerson, a pilot with Alaska Airlines faces a slew of homicide charges along with an additional 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft

Alaska Airlines said the flight, which departed Washington state at 5.23pm, was diverted to Portland International Airport following the ‘security threat’.
‘On Oct. 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,′ Alaska Airlines said.
‘The crew secured the aircraft without incident.
‘We are grateful for the professional handling of the situation by the Horizon flight crew and appreciate our guests’ calm and patience throughout this event.’ 
Emerson [left], described as a 6 foot 1, 44-year-old bald white man with blue eyes, weighing 210lbs, was arrested by Port of Portland officials.

Emerson, seen [photo] with his wife Sarah Stretch, is believed to have suffered a ‘mental breakdown’ before he allegedly tried to disable a packed San Francisco bound flight mid-air on Sunday, by attempting to deploy the fire suppression system from the jump seat.

Live Air Traffic audio appears to show a pilot describing the person believed to be Emerson ‘subdued’ after the incident. By all indications there had been some sort struggle he was brought under control.  
‘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,’ a pilot told air traffic controllers, according to audio recorded by Live ATC. 
‘We want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground and parked.’