American Airlines Pilot Detained After Accused Of Being Drunk
ROMULUS, Mich. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Federal authorities say an American Airlines co-pilot has been detained at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after he was suspected of being drunk.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the co-pilot was held from a Saturday morning flight from Detroit to Philadelphia. He's suspected of having a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit.
The pilot was detained at a security checkpoint after arriving for the flight at the airport in the Detroit suburb of Romulus.
"Police responded with a field Breathalyzer and the co-pilot was indeed over the legal limits," Airport Public Affairs Director Michael Conway told CBS Detroit. "They also took him to a local jurisdiction for a more sophisticated machine called the Data Master. On that machine, he also continued to be over the legal limit for a co-pilot."
Some passengers took to Instagram to describe their ordeal following the incident.
Jayme Blayne and her son Mitch were heading to a spring break trip when their flight was first delayed for only 20 minutes. Airport officials said it was a seating problem, CBS2's Cindy Hsu reported.
"Everyone was talking about it, and they were kind of stunned though when we finally figured out what it was," Mitch said.
By the time airport police arrived, Jayme laughed at first.
"Oh, there goes the police car, they're coming to get somebody, and then I looked out and saw them walking out with someone, oh they really are," she said.
American Airlines told CBS2 "this is a serious matter and we are assisting local law enforcement and the Federal Aviation Administration with the investigation. We will handle this matter appropriately as the safety and care of our customers and employees is our highest priority."
Some passengers said the thought of the pilot getting on the plane while drunk is terrifying.
"There are drunk drivers and they take the lives of a couple people when they make those mistakes, but this is a drunk pilot. He could of taken the lives of hundreds of people," one passenger said.
Airline officials declined to discuss the co-pilot or his condition but said they are assisting local law enforcement agencies.
The pilot, who is from Philadelphia, also failed a second test at the police department. He has been released as authorities decide whether charges will be filed.