Summary A mental health crisis caused a former pilot to attempt to cut off a plane engine mid-flight. Airlines and regulatory bodies focusing on pilot mental health, encouraging destigmatization of seeking help. Incidents like this prompt the need for better mental health support and quick, efficient return-to-work processes.
A former Alaska Airlines pilot accused of recklessly endangering other passengers after attempting to cut off the engine of a San Francisco-bound regional flight is speaking up about the experience and importance of mental health for pilots. How did this happen? Last October, an off-duty pilot flying in the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight attempted to stop the aircraft engines mid-flight, resulting in a diversion and subsequent lawsuit. Speaking to Gio Benitez on Good Morning America this morning, Joseph David Emerson talks about what was going through his head that fateful day.
The regional flight AS2059 from Paine Field International Airport (PAE) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) was operated by the group's subsidiary, Horizon Air, on an Embraer 175 aircraft. Emerson, who was returning from a weekend celebrating the life of his close friend Scott, was riding in the jump seat behind the pilots in the cockpit but not actively involved in flying the plane. According to Emerson, he became overtaken by a fear that he would never make it back to see his wife and children and started to feel trapped in the cockpit of the jet.
This anxiety was heightened by the influence of psychedelic mushrooms, which he had for the first time two days earlier as part of the grieving process with his friends. While the effects had diminished to the point that staff at both the originating and final airports did not find him outwardly impaired, the hallucinations continued and ultimately disrupted the flight. Sitting in the cockpit, Emerson describes the overwhelming sensation that his current situation was an illusion, saying: "There was a feeling of being trapped, like, 'Am I trapped in this airplane and now I'll never go home?" At this point, Emerson texted a friend for emotional support, who encouraged him to try breathing exercises.
However, the resulting message notification through his headset elevated his distress level. After flinging off his headset drew no reaction from the pilot and first officer, Emerson became even more convinced he was dreaming, telling GMA: "And then, as the pilots didn't react to my completely abnormal behavior in a way that I thought would be consistent with reality, that is when I was like, this isn't real. I need to wake up.
” Thinking it would help snap him from his delusion, Emerson reached forward and pulled two red handles designed to cut off fuel to the engines in case of a fire. "Thinking this is my way to get out of this non-real reality, I reached up, grabbed them, and pulled the levers." The flight crew swiftly reacted and intervened before Emerson had a chance to fully extend the levers, averting a potential crisis.
It was the pilot's touch on his hand that helped bring Emerson back to reality, and he voluntarily offered to leave the flight desk. Simulator, training, and evidence-based training are among the few things pilots undergo to prepare for unexpected situations. However, the episode was not yet over, as the nagging feeling that he was trapped persisted, resulting in him reaching for the emergency exit handle on the flight door.
This time, a flight attendant came to the rescue, gently removing his hand from the lever, which had not yet been pulled. Emergency exit doors cannot be opened once the aircraft reaches cruising altitude due to the difference in air pressure between the cabin and the atmosphere. Around this time, Emerson texted his wife, Sarah.
The message read, " I made a big mistake ." When she replied, "What's up? Are you okay? "Joe responded, " I'm not. " These were the last words she heard from him for 24 hours.
Realizing the severity of his actions, Emerson told the flight attendant, " I don't understand what's real, " and asked her to cuff him until he could receive help. The flight was diverted to Portland International Airport (PDX), where he was taken into custody upon landing. Why speak up now? The reason Emerson and his wife spoke out is that they believe his tale " tells a larger story on pilot health .
" Following the death of his best friend and fellow pilot, Emerson turned to alcohol to help cope. Afraid to see professional help because of potential repercussions to his flying career, he continued to self-medicate until the fateful trip. Have you heard the Simple Flying podcast recently? While he would later find out from his jail physician that experiencing persistent visual hallucinations or perception issues for several days taking psychedelics is not uncommon, the fact he felt unable to seek professional help for his depression became a primary motivator.
Aviation regulations require pilots to disclose mental issues and abnormal conditions. Airlines and regulatory bodies have been paying increasing attention to the mental health of pilots in the months since and are looking at ways to destigmatize seeking mental health treatment. When questioned as to the airline's practices for ensuring pilots feel comfortable seeking help, an Alaska Airlines official highlighted the availability of peer support programs specifically designed for its pilots and their unique operating environment, noting: " Our goal is to ensure that every pilot feels supported, understood and has access to the tools to help them excel professionally and personally .
" This spring, the Federal Aviation Administration added three allowable antidepressants for pilots: duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor), and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq). While there will still be an observation period and additional protocols, the move shows a trend toward encouraging aircrews to seek mental health support. When reached for this story by Simple Flying, a spokesperson for the FAA highlighted the recent shift: "The FAA’s first commitment is to the safety of the flying public – that includes ensuring that pilots have access to the mental health support they need to do their job safely.
"FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker established the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee (ARC) last year to identify ways to break down barriers that discourage pilots from reporting and seeking care for mental health issues. The FAA is also hiring more mental health professionals, supporting industry-wide research, and providing more education and outreach to pilots. "The FAA encourages pilots to seek help if they have a mental-health condition since most, if treated, do not disqualify someone from flying.
In fact, only about 0.1% of medical certificate applicants who disclose health issues are denied. Treating these conditions early is important, and that is why the FAA has approved more antidepressants for use by pilots and air traffic controllers.
" There is still work to be done in the field. Speaking to Simple Flying today, Captain Dennis Tajer, the spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association (which represents American Airlines pilots), noted the FAA's process of returning a pilot to the flight deck after managing a mental health issue still requires improvement. According to Tajer, the fact that it can take a year or two to get the return to flight status paperwork processed, even after an FAA-designated healthcare professional deems them fit to fly, can lead to a propensity to conceal issues that could be resolved with the proper care.
Now, the Emersons are getting behind a nonprofit called Clear Skies Ahead to prevent instances like this from occurring in the future. The group seeks to fund research to help guide future improvements to the existing system, including ensuring that aviation professionals undergoing effective treatment can remain at work. For others, the need lies in ensuring they are offered adequate financial support when removed from work and a transparent process to ensure that individuals either safely return to flying duties or transition to alternative roles.
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