Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph David Emerson was catching a ride from Everett Washington, to San Francisco, California. The off-duty pilot was seated in the cockpit jump seat of Horizon Air Flight 2059, having casual conversation with the pilot and co-pilot. Without warning, Emerson attempted to shut off the engine, midflight.

Emerson reportedly tried "to grab and pull two red fire handles" that would have activated the plane's emergency fire suppression system and cut off fuel to its engines. Emerson was subdued and the flight diverted to Portland Oregon.

Eighty-four people, crew and passengers were aboard the plane.

Joining Nancy Grace today:

Ed Booth - Board Certified Aviation Attorney and partner at Marks Gray Law Firm, Fmr. Prosecutor, Airline Transport Rated Pilot, profession at Jacksonville University School of Aviation
Dr. Shari Schwartz - Forensic Psychologist (specializing in Capital Mitigation and Victim Advocacy), www.panthermitigation.com, Twitter: @TrialDoc, Author: "Criminal Behavior" and "Where Law and Psychology Intersect: Issues in Legal Psychology"
Captain Ross Sagun - Fmr. commercial airline pilot and air safety representative for over 40 years, investigation, Aviation expert and consultant for Sagun Aviation Consulting, www.sagunaviationconsulting.com
Mary Schiavo - Former Inspector General of the United States Department of Transportation, Aviation attorney and CNN Aviation analyst, Author: “Flying Blind, Flying Safe”, Maryschiavo.com
Matthias Gafni - Investigative reporter with the San Francisco Chronicle, www.sfchronicle.com, Twitter: @mgafni

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pilot Goes "BESERK," CUTS FUEL AT 31,000 FEET