PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Joseph Emerson, the off-duty pilot who tried to stop a plane mid-flight, pleaded guilty in federal court and is expected to enter a new plea deal in an Oregon court on Friday.

The two change-of-plea hearings come as Emerson reportedly decided to take responsibility for his actions on the flight in October 2023, according to his attorney.

Emerson was flying from San Francisco to Everett, Wash. when he attempted to shut off the plane’s engine, according to court documents. The flight made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport, where Emerson was taken into custody.

According to court documents, he told officers that he was experiencing a mental health crisis and had not slept in 40 hours. He also said he consumed psychedelic mushrooms 48 hours earli

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