In a shocking instance of breach of protocol, a United Airlines pilot, reportedly intoxicated, was stripped off his duties ahead of a flight from Paris to Washington, D.C., scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
According to French media, the pilot, 63-year-old “Henry W.”, now faces a prison sentence of six months, along with a monetary fine. Additionally, his license has been suspended for a year.
Le Parisien disclosed on Wednesday that the pilot’s blood alcohol concentration was staggeringly over three times the legal limit set by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA regulations pertaining to drug and alcohol testing include prohibitions on alcohol use while on duty, alcohol use eight hours prior to duty for pilots, and within eight hours following an accident. Additionally, an alcohol test registering a concentration of 0.04% or higher is also deemed a violation.
Putting a spin on damage control, United made a statement to FOX Business in an email on Friday, affirming, “The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority. We hold all our employees to the highest standards and have a strict no-tolerance policy for alcohol.”
The airline also stated, “This employee was immediately removed from service and we are fully cooperating with local authorities,” while refraining from confirming specific details of the incident.
However, a report in The Local reveals that police informed the court that the pilot showed “obvious signs of drunkenness” at Charles de Gaulle Airport. The intended destination of the flight was Washington Dulles Airport, according to multiple reports.
