22 October 2023 - Alaska Airlines 2059

Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 was a scheduled domestic flight operated by Horizon Air for Alaska Airlines that was traveling from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, to San Francisco International Airport on October 22, 2023 with 83 people aboard when an off-duty pilot deadheading in the jump seat of the cockpit attempted to disable the plane's engines. The Embraer 175 aircraft was operating at 31,000 feet when the suspect, Joseph David Emerson, attempted to activate the emergency fire suppression systems on both engines, which would have cut the fuel supply and caused a flameout.

According to court affidavits, Emerson later told investigators that he hadn’t slept in 40 hours, had been depressed, had just suffered through the death of his best friend, and had tried psychedelic mushrooms for the first time to assuage his grief just 48 hours earlier. Believing that he "was dreaming" and wanting to awaken, he pulled both of the fire suppression system handles. The crew reset the systems, removed Emerson from the cockpit, and diverted to Portland International Airport in Oregon, where Emerson was arrested. He was later charged with 83 counts of attempted murder and other charges. He was released back to his California home on December 7, 2023, after posting a $50,000 bond.

• Emerson: "I’m not okay."
• Pilot: "What's up? ... You're okay?"
• Emerson (forcefully): "I’m not okay."
• Action: Emerson reached for and pulled both red engine fire suppression T-handles, which cut off fuel flow to the engines.
• Physical Struggle: Sounds of a struggle were recorded as the pilots physically restrained Emerson to prevent the handles from being fully actuated.
• Pilot (expletives): "F****** s***!! DUDE! HEY!"
• Pilot (to Co-pilot): "THROTTLE, THROTTLE. You got the airplane?"
• Co-pilot: "I got the airplane."