Alaska Airlines slapped with lawsuit over off-duty pilot's alleged attempt to crash passenger flight

foxbusiness.com:

Horizon Air captain tells Portland air traffic controllers that an off-duty pilot tried to shut down the jet's engines, but crews managed to get him out of the cockpit. (Photo Credit: Aubrey Gavello/LOCAL NEWS X /TMX) (Audio Credit: LIVE-ATC.NET)

Three passengers have sued Alaska Airlines over an incident last month in which an off-duty pilot attempted to shut down the plane’s engines.

The passengers – who were on board Horizon Air Flight 2059, an Alaska Airlines affiliate – are claiming they suffered emotional distress after Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph David Emerson, 44, allegedly tried to pull two handles that would have engaged a fire-suppression system and cut fuel to the engines, according to the Associated Press, citing charging documents filed Thursday in Washington state.

Emerson was riding in the jump seat, an extra seat in the cockpit, when he suddenly said, «I'm not OK» and tried to pull two handles, authorities have said in charging documents. 

The plane had been traveling from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco on Octoner 22 but was diverted and landed safely in Portland, Oregon. Emerson ended up being restrained by members of the cabin crew and was arrested after the flight touched down.

WHO IS CAPT EMERSON? ALASKA AIRLINES RELEASES DETAILS ON OFF-DUTY PILOT WHO ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO CRASH FLIGHT

An off-duty pilot allegedly tried to shut down jet's engines mid-Alaska Airlines flight.  (Aubrey Gavello/LOCAL NEWS X /TMX / Fox News)

The Alaska Airlines flight was operated by the group's regional subsidiary Horizon Air. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are owned by Alaska Air Group.

In Thursday’s class action lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court, the three passengers alleged that the Emerson should