Off-Duty Pilot Who Used Psychedelic Mushrooms Attempts To Shut Down Plane Engines Mid-Flight

An off-duty pilot of Alaska Airlines has been arrested and charged for attempting to shut down airplane engines mid-flight.

Joseph David Emerson, a 44-year-old Alaska Airlines Pilot was traveling as an employee passenger in the cockpit when he attempted to shut down the plane engines.

Following arrest, Joseph David Emerson told police he was suffering a nervous breakdown had taken psychedelic mushrooms two days earlier, and had not slept in 40 hours.

Emerson also said he was suffering a mental crisis during the incident and had struggled with depression for over six months.

Since arrest Oregon state court on Tuesday has charged Emerson with 83 counts of attempted murder for every person on board the airplane.