Bay Area pilot indicted for allegedly trying to crash Alaska plane, avoids attempted murder charges

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The off-duty Bay Area pilot accused of trying to crash an Alaska Airlines plane mid-flight in October has been indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday, according to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office.

Joseph Emerson from Pleasant Hill, 44, has been indicted on 83 counts of recklessly endangering another person for conduct on Horizon Air Flight 2059, said Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt.

He's also being charged with one count of endangering an aircraft in the first degree.

RELATED: Off-duty pilot accused of trying to crash passenger flight told police he thought he was dreaming

Here's what we know about Joseph David Emerson, the pilot accused of trying to shut off the engines of an Alaska Airlines flight.

Alaska Flight 2059 was full, with 83 passengers on board when Emerson allegedly tried to shut down the engines of the San Francisco-bound flight in October. The flight was then diverted to Portland, Oregon.

Alaska Airlines said Emerson was sitting in the flight deck jump seat, in the cockpit before the incident.

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RELATED: Bay Area pilot, wife detail what happened before he allegedly tried to crash plane headed to SFO

Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson, accused of trying to crash a Horizon Air plane, and his wife are detailing what happened before the flight.

Emerson engaged with the pilots in "casual conversation" before allegedly trying "to grab and pull two red fire handles that would have activated the plane's emergency fire suppression system and cut off fuel to its engines," prosecutors said.

Emerson was heard in the moments prior to the incident saying something similar to, "I'm not right," preliminary information obtained by investigators indicated, according to a federal official briefed on the probe.

RELATED: Alaska Airlines passengers describe Bay Area pilot's demeanor, moments leading up to arrest

Passengers who were onboard Alaska Airlines describe what led up to the off-duty pilot arrest after he allegedly tried to shut down the engines.

"After a brief physical struggle with the pilots, Emerson exited the cockpit," prosecutors said.

Emerson pleaded "not guilty" to "Interference with Flight Crew Members and Attendants" when he made his first appearance in federal court in October. The one charge could bring up to 20 years in prison.

RELATED: Audio reveals moments after off-duty pilot allegedly tried to shut down engines of SF-bound flight

Here's the Air Traffic Control audio recording moments after off-duty pilot allegedly attempted to shut down an Alaska Airline plane's engines.

Emerson is currently staying at the Multnomah County Detention Center, the DA's office said.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 7 at 9:30 a.m.

Emerson's lawyers tell ABC7's Dan Noyes, they are "crafting a release plan" and expect him to be home with his family by the end of the week.

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