American Airlines Pilot Arrested At Detroit Metropolitan Airport After Allegedly Showing Up Drunk For Flight

According to reports, an American Airlines pilot was arrested Saturday at Detroit Metropolitan Airport by the airport police after he allegedly showed up drunk for a flight to Philadelphia.

The pilot was issued a Breathalyzer test before the flight which he failed. As a result, Flight 736, which was expected to arrive in Philadelphia at 8:47 a.m., was cancelled. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) detained the co-pilot who was determined to be under the suspicion of having a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit.

According to law, FAA prohibits anyone from operating or attempting to operate an aircraft within eight hours of consuming any alcoholic beverage or with a blood alcohol content of 0.04 percent or greater.

The situation was called “extremely unusual,” by the airport spokesman, Michael Conway. The pilot was later released as authorities determined whether charges will be filed or not. According to Conway, the pilot is in his early 50s and is from Pennsylvania. No further information was released.

American Airlines spokeswoman Laura Nedbal said in a statement that the flight was cancelled. Passengers were transferred to other flights. However, some of the customers took the opportunity to complain about the situation on social media. “We’re supposed to be on an airplane and it’s supposed to be safe, and you have someone drunk while they’re flying the plane,” said 18-year-old Kendra Hine. “That’s just crazy.”

News Source: www.Philly.com