Pilot Accused of Attempting To Shut Off Plane Engines Indicted

USA – The Alaska Airlines pilot who allegedly attempted to shut off the engines of a passenger plane mid-flight in October, was indicted on 84 counts in an Oregon court Tuesday.

The grand jury indicted Joseph Emerson on one count of endangering aircraft in the first degree and 83 counts of recklessly endangering another person – that’s one for each person aboard the aircraft at the time of the October 22 incident.

Emerson’s attorneys applauded the grand jury’s decision not to charge him with 83 counts of attempted murder.

Emerson is set to be arraigned December 7th and faces similar federal charges.