New video, audio of Bay Area pilot who tried to shut off plane engines mid-flight

SAN FRANCISCO -- New audio has been released from the cockpit of the Alaska Airlines flight that landed a pilot from the East Bay in handcuffs.

The former pilot, Joseph Emerson, forced the emergency landing of the October 2023 flight heading to San Francisco when he tried to shut down the engines. He was off-duty and riding in the jumpseat when he tried to pull the fire suppression handles.

Released dash cam footage, photos, videos, and police reports help reconstruct the in-flight emergency on Horizon flight 2095 from Everett, Washington to San Francisco.

He took a plea deal and was sentenced to time served and supervised release for his role.

MORE: 'I made a big mistake': Former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to shut off engines shares story

Former pilot who tried to shut down engines in-flight shares his story

Audio from what happened in the cockpit shows Emerson saying, "I'm not okay," and "I gotta get home."

Crew then told air traffic control: "It's Horizon 2095. We got a jump seater, just tried to shut our engines off, we need to go direct to Portland, now."

The flight crew averted catastrophe and safely landed at Portland International Airport.

Emerson was taken into custody, hauled off the airplane, and then interrogated by police.

He told investigators he'd taken psychedelic mushrooms two days before the incident and hadn't slept in 48 hours.

Video shows an interaction with an officer from the back of a police vehicle.

MORE: Off-duty pilot who tried to cut flight's engines midair is released without prison time

Officer: "Okay man, what's going on?"

Emerson: "I'm having a nervous breakdown. I don't really know why."

Emerson: "I thought I was dreaming, man. And I just want to wake up, but I'm feeling right now. This is very real."

Officer: "So, were you trying to kill yourself?"

Emerson: "I was trying to wake up. Cause I don't feel like this is real."

MORE: Alaska Airlines passengers describe off-duty pilot's demeanor, moments leading up to arrest

Passengers who were onboard Alaska Airlines describe what led up to the off-duty pilot arrest after he allegedly tried to shut down the engines.

Last month, a federal judge sentenced Emerson to time served and three years of supervised release.

The judge said the case offers a cautionary tale not just about air safety but the dangers of hallucinogenic drugs.

Emerson says he never sought help, fearing it would end his career. Since the incident, he's co-founded the non-profit "Clear Skies Ahead" to help pilots with mental health issues.

TAKE ACTION: Get help with mental health issues

ABC7 News contributed to this story.