Pilot’s charges reduced for attempting to shut off plane

The pilot who allegedly attempted to shut off the engines of a plane has been indicted on lesser charges in Oregon. Joseph Emerson, 44, was accused of trying to stop the engines and open an emergency door during an off-duty flight from Washington State to San Francisco. Emerson later said he was having a nervous breakdown and had taken psychedelic mushrooms. He was originally charged with 83 counts of attempted murder, but a grand jury dropped those charges and only charged him with reckless endangerment and endangering an aircraft. Emerson is also facing a federal charge of interfering with flight crew members. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 7 while remaining in custody at the Multnomah County Detention Center.