A former commercial airline pilot has pleaded guilty after attempting to shut down the engines of a passenger flight while riding off-duty in the cockpit. The incident, which took place in October 2023, left more than 80 people on board shaken but unharmed, thanks to the swift actions of the flight crew.
The ex-pilot admitted in court that he had taken psychedelic mushrooms two days before the flight, had not slept for more than 40 hours, and was struggling with grief following the death of a friend. He said he believed he was dreaming at the time and tried to wake himself by pulling two red handles in the cockpit. The handles would have cut off fuel to the engines, shutting them down in mid-air.
Crew members quickly restrained him, and the plane was diverted to Portland where it landed safely. The pilot later expressed gratitude to the crew, calling their intervention “the greatest gift I ever got” because it forced him to confront his mental health struggles and dependence on alcohol.
In his sentencing, the court ordered 50 days in jail with credit for time served, five years of probation, 664 hours of community service, and more than $60,000 in restitution. Half of the community service hours may be completed at a pilot health non-profit organization he founded following his arrest. Additional conditions include ongoing mental health and substance abuse treatment, abstaining from non-prescribed drugs, and staying at least 25 feet away from operable aircraft unless authorized.
Despite guidelines suggesting a longer prison term, the court considered his acceptance of responsibility, mental health progress, and lack of previous criminal history. He is also awaiting federal sentencing, where prosecutors could pursue up to a year in custody.
One passenger on the flight argued in court that the punishment was too lenient given the seriousness of his actions. She stressed that his behavior showed he lacked the judgment required to ever be in a cockpit again.
The ex-pilot acknowledged the harm caused not only to passengers and crew, but also to public trust in aviation. He told the court that the experience, while devastating to his career, helped him become a more present father, husband, and member of his community.
