An off-duty pilot accused of attempting to disable the engines of an Alaska Airlines plane mid-flight appeared in federal court on Thursday, where his wife expressed disbelief about his alleged actions. Joseph D. Emerson, 44, has been charged with interfering with a flight crew and faces additional state charges, including 83 counts of attempted murder. The incident occurred on Sunday when Emerson, who was sitting in the cockpit behind the captain, allegedly attempted to cut fuel to the plane's engines. The quick actions of the aircraft's captain and first officer prevented a total engine failure, according to the airline. A flight attendant reported hearing Emerson say that "he tried to kill everybody." However, his wife, Sarah Stretch, tearfully stated that he "never would have done that" and that he was not the man that she knows. Emerson's defense attorney, Ethan Levi, claimed that his client was in a "dream-like state" during the incident and had no intention of harming anyone. He added that Emerson had been experiencing depression and had recently lost a friend. Stretch acknowledged that her husband had been dealing with pressures in life and had been depressed. Emerson had told investigators that he thought he was dreaming and had taken "magic mushrooms" 48 hours before the incident. He also claimed to have been awake for the last 40 hours. However, it is still being investigated whether he was under the influence of a psychedelic substance at the time. Emerson has pleaded not guilty to all charges and an arraignment on the federal charge is scheduled for November 22. Alaska Airlines has indefinitely removed him from service and relieved him from all duties.