The former Alaska Airlines pilot who attempted to shut down a Horizon Air flight’s engines mid-air while riding a jumpseat is scheduled for federal sentencing Monday.

Joseph Emerson pleaded guilty or no-contest to all state and federal charges in September, a move his attorney said was intended to accept responsibility and avoid further time behind bars. Prosecutors in the federal case have requested a one-year prison term, while defense attorneys have asked for probation.

Emerson was deadheading on an Oct. 22, 2023 Horizon Air flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco when he attempted to engage the Embraer E175’s engine fire suppression system. The crew subdued him, restored normal operations and diverted the flight to Portland, where all 84 people on board arrived safely.

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