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Coverage dated November 16, 2025 to November 17, 2025

Off-duty pilot who tried to cut a flight’s engines midair won't serve prison time, judge rules

Headline from NBC4 Washington

A federal judge has decided that a former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 won't serve prison time.

NBC4 Washington's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Read the reports

Reports & sources

21 articles, oldest first.

  1. ABC 7 New York

    Off-duty pilot who tried to cut flight's engines midair to be sentenced in federal case (opens ABC 7 New York)

    Published

    ABC 7 New York's feed description

    A former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut the engines of a flight in 2023 is set to appear for sentencing in federal court.

  2. Los Angeles Times

    Off-duty pilot who tried to cut a flight’s engines midair to be sentenced in federal case (opens Los Angeles Times)

    Published

    Los Angeles Times's feed description

    Joseph Emerson pleaded guilty or no-contest to all charges against him in September as part of agreements with state and federal prosecutors.

  3. The Columbian

    Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut a flight’s engines midair to be sentenced in federal case (opens The Columbian)

    Published

    The Columbian's feed description

    PORTLAND — A former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 while riding off-duty in the cockpit is set to appear for sentencing in federal court Monday.

  4. Anchorage Daily News

    Former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut flight’s engines midair won’t serve prison time, judge rules (opens Anchorage Daily News)

    Published

    Anchorage Daily News's feed description

    The former pilot, who was riding off-duty in the cockpit at the time of the incident, was sentenced to credit for time served and supervised release.

  5. Independent Journal Review

    Former Alaska Pilot Faces Sentencing After Mid-Flight Engine Scare (opens Independent Journal Review)

    Published

    Independent Journal Review's feed description

    A former Alaska Airlines pilot who admitted to trying to cut the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 is

  6. KGW Portland

    Ex-Alaska Airlines pilot faces federal sentencing for trying to shut down flight engines midair (opens KGW Portland)

    Published

    KGW Portland's feed description

    Joseph Emerson attempted to cut engines on a passenger flight in 2023. The plane landed safely in Portland after the crew restrained him.

  7. Fox News

    Former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to disable engines mid-flight avoids prison time (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    Ex-Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson, who tried to disable a 2023 flight’s engines after taking psychedelic mushrooms, was sentenced to prison.

  8. NBC4 Washington

    Off-duty pilot who tried to cut a flight’s engines midair won't serve prison time, judge rules (opens NBC4 Washington)

    Published

    NBC4 Washington's feed description

    A federal judge has decided that a former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 won't serve prison time.

  9. NBC News

    No prison time for off-duty pilot who tried to cut a flight’s engines midair, judge rules (opens NBC News)

    Published

    NBC News's feed description

    PORTLAND, Ore. — A former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 while riding off-duty in the cockpit will serve no prison time, a federal judge ruled Monday, bringing an end to a case that drew attention to the need for more mental health support for pilots…

  10. ABC 7 Chicago

    Off-duty pilot who tried to cut flight's engines midair is released without prison time (opens ABC 7 Chicago)

    Published

    ABC 7 Chicago's feed description

    A former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut the engines of a flight while riding off-duty in the cockpit will serve no additional prison time.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

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