United Airlines pilot admits drinking
Dave BondA pilot employed by United Airlines and with three times the permitted alcohol fly limit was prepared to take charge of an aircraft out of Heathrow Airport.
On November 9, 2009, Airline employees smelled alcohol on the breath of Erwin Vermont Washington as he was scheduled to captain a Heathrow to Chicago midday flight operated by United Airlines carrying 124 passengers on board as well as 11 crew members.
Staff immediately contacted police authorities and Mr Washington was required to undergo a breathalyser test, right under the distraught gaze of the passengers on board the Boeing 767, prior to being walked off the aircraft.
Police officials reported that Mr Washington had 31 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
In his blood, Mr Washington recorded 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100ml of blood, which is the same as having drunk only half a pint of beer.
For airline employees, the legal limit is 20 milligrams, or a quarter of what is allowed for motorists.
The fifty-one-year-old former US Air Force gunner pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on a charge of having an alcohol level over the permitted limit.
Mr Washington is now facing the likelihood of a maximum two-year prison term combined with a potential fine.
United Airlines is said to wait until his sentencing on February 5 at Isleworth Crown Court, before making a decision on his future with the commercial carrier.
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