A former Alaska Airlines captain, Joseph Emerson, will serve no additional prison time, much to the surprise of many industry analysts. Emerson attempted to shut off the engines of a Horizon Air flight in October 2023 while riding in the cockpit jump seat, and he is preparing to serve no additional prison time.

A federal judge in Portland sentenced him to time served, three years of supervised release, 600 hours of community service, and $60,000 in restitution payments. The original charge levied against Emerson was originally for 83 counts of attempted murder after he pulled the engine fire-handle controls and forced an emergency diversion. Everyone onboard the aircraft walked away unharmed, but the outcome of the trial has begun to raise difficult questions about the pilot's inten

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