Alaska Airlines Flight 2059
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.
N660QX, the aircraft involved, seen 25 days before the attempted hijacking. | |
| Incident | |
|---|---|
| Date | October 22, 2023 |
| Summary | Attempted suicide hijacking, subsequent emergency landing |
| Site | In-air; near Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Embraer 175LR |
| Operator | Horizon Air for Alaska Airlines |
| IATA flight No. | QX2059 |
| ICAO flight No. | QXE2059 |
| Call sign | HORIZON AIR 2059 |
| Registration | N660QX |
| Flight origin | Paine Field, Everett, Washington |
| Destination | San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco |
| Occupants | 84 |
| Passengers | 79 |
| Crew | 5 (including the accused) |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Survivors | 84 |