A pilot from Alaska Airlines, who was off-duty at the time, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges after an incident where he allegedly tried to turn off the engine of a plane during a flight. Joseph Emerson, 44, faced charges after attempting to disrupt the operation of the engines while Alaska Airlines Flight 2059 was en route from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco. Although the pilot pleaded not guilty to state-level charges, including attempted murder and endangering an aircraft, he also faces a federal charge of interfering with flight crew members. Alaska Airlines confirms that the fire suppression system prevented Emerson from successfully shutting down the engines. According to federal charging documents, Emerson stated he was not on any medication but admitted to being depressed and under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms. The pilot also claimed to be experiencing a nervous breakdown and had been awake for 40 hours at the time of the incident. Alaska Airlines has removed Emerson from service indefinitely and he is relieved of all duties as per their collective bargaining agreement.