"Pilot arrested just before take-off for being over the alcohol limit"

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Pilot arrested just before take-off
United Kingdom - Independent Television News (ITN)


A pilot bound for the US has been arrested onboard his plane on suspicion of
being over the alcohol limit.

The legal limit for pilots, navigators, flight engineers and cabin crew on
flights is 9 microgrammes of alcohol in breath, compared to 35 microgrammes
for motorists. Passengers on the Virgin Atlantic flight from Heathrow were
delayed for around an hour, after the pilot was breathalysed and arrested by
the Metropolitan Police.

Virgin Atlantic had to find another pilot to fly the plane to New York's JFK
airport following the incident, which happened while the aircraft was at the
terminal gate.

The 47-year-old pilot was arrested under the section of the Railways and
Transport Safety Act 2003 which relates to being over the limit on drink or
drugs while "performing an aviation function".

The legal limit for pilots, navigators, flight engineers and cabin crew on
flights is 9 microgrammes of alcohol in breath, compared to 35 microgrammes
for motorists.

Virgin Atlantic confirmed one of its pilots had been released on police bail
following the incident on Saturday.

In a statement, the company said: "Virgin Atlantic would like to apologise
for the inconvenience caused and would like to reassure passengers that the
airline will be investigating this matter thoroughly in accordance with its
strict company policies in relation to operational staff.

"The safety and security of its passengers and crew is Virgin Atlantic's top
priority."

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