Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot arrested following attempt to disable engines mid-flight

An Alaska Airlines flight bound for San Francisco from Everett diverted to Portland International Airport Sunday after an off-duty pilot in the cockpit area allegedly tried to shut down the engines mid-flight.

The off-duty pilot, identified by Alaska Airlines as Joseph D. Emerson, sat in a jump seat on the flight deck just behind the pilots flying the jet, where employees may hitch a ride back to their home bases at the end of their shifts.

"We've got the guy that tried to shut the engines down out of the cockpit," a pilot on duty reported. "It doesn’t seem like he’s causing any issue at the back right now. I think he’s subdued. Other than that, yeah, we want law enforcement as soon as we get on the ground."

Air traffic control audio from the flight is available here at the 10:56 mark.

In a statement, an Alaska Airlines spokesperson said Emerson is now in custody and is being investigated by law enforcement authorities, including the FBI and the Port of Portland Police Department.

According to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office inmate database, Emerson faces 83 counts of attempted murder and 83 counts of reckless endangerment; the flight from Everett’s Paine Field was full with approximately 80 passengers on board. He also faces one count of endangering an aircraft.

Alaska Airlines thanked the flight crew for handling the situation and thanked guests for their "calm and patience throughout this event."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.