March 26, 2016
Passengers who had tickets for a flight set to go from Detroit to Philadelphia were stuck waiting in the terminal after their pilot was arrested for allegedly being intoxicated.
ABC7 reports American Airlines Flight 736 was set to leave around 7 a.m. Saturday. TSA officers told officials at Detroit Metro Airport to check out the co-pilot because of his behavior.
The pilot was given a breathalyzer test — which he reportedly failed — and was taken in by police where he failed another breathalyzer, according to the news station.
A statement from American Airlines apologized to the passengers and said they were being accommodated, ABC News reports. The airline said safety was its first priority and that its assisting law enforcement.
The legal BAC limit to fly from the FAA is 0.04, according to ABC.
A photo posted on Twitter allegedly shows the pilot being taken into custody on the tarmac.
@AmericanAir pilot arrested (supposedly drunk), spring break busted #thanks #qualityhire #compensationplease pic.twitter.com/vcaNYXapvy
— Amanda Albrecht (@AmandaAlbrechtt) March 26, 2016
The pilot's identity has not been released, but reports say he's from Pennsylvania and was born in 1965.
FOX2 reports that authorities plan to submit charges to prosecutors in Wayne County, Michigan.
