An off-duty pilot from Alaska Airlines, identified as Joseph David Emerson, is now confronting 83 counts of attempted murder following his attempt to shut down the plane's engines during a flight, as reported by The Washington Post. The incident occurred while the flight, carrying 80 passengers, was en route from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, California. Emerson, aged 44, was seated in the cockpit behind the captain and the first officer. In response to his actions, the flight was diverted to Portland on Sunday.

In addition to the attempted murder charges, Emerson is also facing 83 misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft, as noted in The Washington Post's report. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this alarming incident. Alaska Airlines issued a statement, confirming that Flight 2059 had reported a credible security threat due to Emerson's attempt to disrupt the engine's operation.

The FBI confirmed that the pilot skillfully landed the aircraft at Portland International Airport around 6:25 pm Pacific time on Sunday, with the flight's captain and first officer taking prompt action to restrain him.

A passenger named Aubrey Gavello recounted that the flight attendant addressed the situation over the intercom, explaining that the pilot had experienced a sudden mental breakdown, necessitating his immediate removal from the plane.

Emerson's behavior left his neighbors astounded, as they described him as a wonderful and friendly individual. Karen Yee, one of his neighbors, was quoted by the New York Post, saying, "They are outstanding neighbors. He's an exceptional father, frequently engaging with the children and maintaining a friendly demeanor. He's just an outstanding person."

She further mentioned, "We have a son with special needs, and he's been incredibly kind to him. We couldn't fathom him doing anything to harm someone."