Alaska Airlines Flight 2059

Alaska Airlines Flight 2059
N660QX, the aircraft involved, seen 25 days before the attempted hijacking.
Incident
DateOctober 22, 2023 (2023-10-22)[1]
SummaryAttempted suicide hijacking, subsequent emergency landing
SiteIn-air; near Portland, Oregon, United States
Aircraft
Aircraft typeEmbraer E175LR
OperatorHorizon Air for Alaska Airlines
IATA flight No.QX2059[2]
ICAO flight No.QXE2059[3]
Call signHORIZON AIR 2059
RegistrationN660QX
Flight originPaine Field, Everett, Washington
DestinationSan Francisco International Airport, San Francisco
Occupants84
Passengers79
Crew5 (including the accused)
Fatalities0
Injuries0
Survivors84

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, when an off-duty pilot deadheading in the jump seat of the cockpit reportedly attempted to crash the plane by disabling its engines. The Embraer 175 aircraft was operating at 31,000 feet (9,400 m) when the suspect, Joseph David Emerson, reportedly attempted to deploy the engine fire suppression systems, which could cut the fuel supply and cause a flameout. The crew reset the fire suppression systems, removed Emerson from the cockpit, and diverted to Portland International Airport in Oregon. Emerson was arrested in Portland and charged with 83 counts of attempted murder and other charges, but was released back to his California home on December 7, 2023, after posting a $50,000 bond.

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