FBI: 'I am not okay' off-duty Alaska pilot said before trying to turn off jet engines

https://www.npr.org/2023/10/24/ [login to see] /alaska-airlines-off-duty-pilot-switch-off-engines
An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot now faces federal charges for interfering with the crew of a flight that had divert Sunday to Portland, Ore. after he allegedly attempted to switch off the plane's engines in mid-air.

The flight, operated by Horizon Airlines, had taken off from Everett, Wash. around 5 pm Sunday evening and was headed to San Francisco. The Embraer 175 jet had more than 80 passengers and crew on board.

The off-duty pilot, Joseph David Emerson, was traveling in the flight deck jump seat sitting behind the pilot and first officer. According to a federal affidavit, the crew said Emerson gave "zero indication of anything wrong" during the initial stages of the flight.