Lie to Fly: Why Did Pilot Joseph Emerson Try to Crash a Plane? Revisiting the Attempted Sabotage of Flight 2059

Mar. 15, 2025

Left: Alaska Airlines Pilot Joseph Emerson Documentary; Right: Former Alaska Air pilot Joseph Emerson released from jail after not guilty plea.Photo:FX Networks/Youtube; KPIX | CBS NEWS BAY AREA/Youtube

FX Networks/Youtube; KPIX | CBS NEWS BAY AREA/Youtube

On Oct. 22, 2023, Joseph David Emerson, an experienced pilot,attempted to sabotage an Alaska Airlines flightwhile traveling as a passenger.

Emerson, a pilot with a long career in aviation, had previously met all FAA medical certification requirements without issue. However, during the flight, Emerson said he experienced a severe mental breakdown after being sleep-deprived andingesting psychedelic mushroomstwo days prior, leading him to attempt to disable the plane’s engines.

The documentaryLie to Fly, which premiered on FX and Hulu in August 2024, delves into Emerson’s story and the broader implications for airline safety and the mental health of pilots.

Here’s everything to know about Joseph David Emerson, why he tried to sabotage Flight 2059 and the implications for the aviation industry at large.

Who is Joseph David Emerson?

Joseph Emerson; Lie to Fly.FX Networks/Youtube

FX Networks/Youtube

Emerson had a long history in aviation. He began his career with Horizon Airlines in 2001 and later joined Virgin America, only to return to Alaska Airlines as a First Officer after their acquisition of Virgin America. By 2019, he had risen to the rank of Captain. Emerson had always met the FAA’s medical certification requirements.

Emerson’s next-door neighbors described him as “very positive” and “very friendly” toKRON 4in October 2023.

Despite his success as a pilot and growing family, with his wife and two kids, Emerson struggled. He had been coping with the recent death of a close friend, who was the best man at his wedding. When he sought help from a therapist, she suggested that he seek out another doctor who could better help with what she said sounded like depression.

“She’s the first one who said, ‘You know, I can’t diagnose you, but would you ever consider seeing a doctor who could diagnose you and possibly get on an antidepressant?’ ” Emerson toldThe New York Times.

He added that he decided against seeking this care because FAA policies at the time prevented or paused pilots from flying if they had a mental health diagnosis or were taking medication for their mental health.

What happened during Flight 2059?

On Oct. 22, 2023, Emerson was traveling as a passenger in the cockpit jump seat on Horizon Airlines Flight 2059, from Everett, Wash., to San Francisco. During the flight, he allegedly experienced a severe mental breakdown. According to his own retelling and police documents, Emerson threw his headset across the cockpit and declared, “I am not okay.” He then attempted to pull the fire extinguisher handles, which would have shut off the plane’s engines.

What was Emerson charged with?

Joseph Emerson.ABC News

ABC News

After the plane landed safely, Emerson was charged with 83 counts of attempted murder, one for each person on board, and one federal count of endangering an aircraft. The former pilot remained in custody until December when he pleaded not guilty on all 84 counts and was ultimately allowed to be released on bail.

Why did Emerson try to crash a plane?

During questioning, Emerson revealed that he had taken psychedelic mushrooms for the first time two days before the flight, which he believed triggered his breakdown. He admitted to not having slept for 40 hours and thought he was dreaming during the incident.

“Simply put: Captain Emerson thought he was in a dream; his actions were taken in a single-minded effort to wake up from that dream and return home to his family,” his defense attorneys said in a statement, perABC News.

Emerson’s defense team argued that the case was more about mental health than malice. The former pilot’s wife, Sarah Stretch, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that despite the unfortunate events, she hoped it would lead to more pilots getting the help they needed.

“I’m saddened that this situation had to happen to my husband and to these people that it affected, but I know that this has created a movement to help thousands of other pilots and people in mental health situations,” Stretch toldCBS News Bay Areain December 2023.

What was the FAA’s response to Emerson’s case?

Joseph Emerson in Lie to Fly.FX Networks/Youtube

The incident involving Emerson highlighted significant issues within the aviation industry, particularly regarding pilot mental health.

The FAA’s regulations often deter pilots from seeking help for fear of losing their jobs, according toThe New York Times.The organization has historically banned pilots with depression from flying or using prescription medication over concerns about their ability to safely operate an airplane. It wasn’t until 2010 that the FAA approved certain antidepressants for pilots with mild or moderate depression.

However, at the time pilots on these medications were grounded for months during a monitoring period, and the approval process to return to flying could take even longer — with no guarantee of success.

The potential impact on careers has led many pilots to either hide their treatment, risking penalties of up to $250,000, or avoid seeking help altogether, aviation doctors, lawyers and pilots toldThe New York Times.

In November 2023, shortly after Emerson’s alleged breakdown, the FAA announced it wouldcreate a Pilot Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC)to address barriers preventing pilots from reporting mental health issues. The committee, consisting of medical experts and aviation and labor representatives, will review and recommend improvements based on recent advancements in mental health care.

The FAA announced that their efforts would include better mental health training for examiners, supporting research, hiring more mental health professionals and enhancing outreach to pilots.

Where is Joseph David Emerson now?

Emerson lives with his wife, Stretch, and two young sons, in Pleasant Hills, Calif., perThe New York Times. He stayed out of the public eye after his December 2023 release from prison, until speaking out for the first time in the August 2024 documentaryLie to Fly.

The FX series further explores the push for reform in FAA regulations to ensure pilots can receive the support they need without jeopardizing public safety. The documentary also examines how Emerson’s best friend’s death deeply affected his mental health, his reluctance to seek help and the events leading up to Flight 2059.

source: people.com