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American Morning

FAA Investigates Pilot Who Tested Drunk

Aired July 29, 2002 - 07:09   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Federal aviation officials are investigating the case of an airline pilot about to take off from Wilmington, North Carolina, apparently with a blood alcohol level four times the legal limit. The pilot works for Atlanta Southeast Airlines. That is a subsidiary of Delta.

Our Brian Cabell is at the ASA office right here in Atlanta.

Brian -- what have you been able to find out?

BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Daryn.

It's still a little early. We are in front of ASA headquarters awaiting further official word on exactly what ASA may do here. So far, what ASA officials have said is that this is a very serious charge, and they are investigating the charge.

What we know is this: A pilot attempted to get on board his flight in Wilmington, North Carolina yesterday morning. He was passing a security checkpoint. A security agent suspected that he might be intoxicated. He stopped him from getting on board that flight, and he was subsequently checked. His blood alcohol content turned out to be .16, four times what is legally allowed to fly.

Needless to say, he did not fly on that flight. Four hours later, ASA found another pilot, and they took off four hours late.

So ASA is now investigating. The FAA is also investigating this charge.

Very similar, of course, to another case in Miami earlier this month, this with America West. Two pilots attempted to get on board a flight, in fact, did get on board that plane down in Miami bound for Phoenix. They were turned around when it was suspected that they were drunk. Their blood alcohol content also proved that they were intoxicated. They have subsequently been fired by America West. They are now facing a possible six years in jail if they are convicted of attempting to fly while drunk.

What's going to happen in this particular case here at ASA, we don't know. As I say, we are awaiting further official word from officials here -- Daryn.

KAGAN: As if we don't have enough to be scared of when it comes to flying these days. Brian Cabell right here in Atlanta, thank you so much.

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