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American Morning

Atlantic Southwest Airlines Pilot Drunk

Aired July 29, 2002 - 09:16   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: Also, we have other news working today and that is that a security worker in Wilmington, North Carolina, uh- oh, they got a whiff of a pilot's breath when he showed up for duty yesterday. And a test showed a rich blood alcohol mixture. And the first officer for Atlantic Southeast Airlines, also known as ASA, well this pilot is in trouble.

Our Brian Cabell is at ASA headquarters in Atlanta.

Brian, news again of yet another possibly drunken pilot.

BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Daryn, two investigations underway now; one by ASA internally here in Atlanta, another by the FAA. So far as far as we know, no legal action has been taken against this first pilot. He was not arrested.

We just talked to ASA about 15 minutes ago. They refused to confirm whether he has been suspended yet. But they say, no surprise here, that he is not flying today. He is based in Atlanta, but they have not given his name out just yet.

Apparently what happened is this, in Wilmington, North Carolina yesterday morning, this first pilot attempted to get onboard a plane to Atlanta, Georgia. However, at a security check, one of the agents suspected something was not quite right. He was called back. He was given a blood alcohol check. Turned out to be .16. That's four times the legal limit for flying. Needless to say, he was not allowed onboard that plane. Four hours later, they got someone else onboard and they flew to Atlanta no problems at all.

Very similar, of course, to an America West situation last -- earlier this month in Miami. Two pilots actually got onboard the airplane, were taxiing out, were called back when, again, suspicions were raised. They turned out to be legally intoxicated. They have since been -- their licenses have been suspended. They have been fired, and they are now facing a trial sometime in the fairly near future. They could face up to six years in prison.

Again, no legal action here for this pilot. He has not been identified. We may get further word later on today.

Back to you -- Daryn.

KAGAN: I anticipate that you will. Brian Cabell, right here in Atlanta, thank you so much.

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