Heathrow pilot charged with being drunk
US Airlines pilot charged after being arrested at Heathrow airport on suspicion of being drunk
Also In The News
|
By Darren Estwick. |  |
Wednesday, 11, Nov 2009 11:16
By Richard James.
A US pilot has been charged after being arrested at Heathrow airport on suspicion of being drunk.
Erwin Vermont Washington, 51, of Lakewood, Colorado, is charged with "being aviation staff performing an aviation function whilst exceeding the proscribed alcohol limit", police have confirmed.
The 51-year-old was arrested on Monday after being reported to police by colleagues, the Press Association news agency claims.
Mr Washington has since been released on police bail and is due to appear at Uxbridge magistrates' court on November 20th.
Reports suggest he was onboard a United Airlines plane with 135 people onboard heading for Chicago and take-off was "imminent" when officers boarded the plane.
The flight was subsequently cancelled and the passengers moved onto another plane.
In response to the arrest, a United Airlines spokeswoman said: "Safety is our highest priority and the pilot has been removed from service while we are co-operating with authorities and conducting a full investigation.
"United Airlines' alcohol policy is amongst the strictest in the industry and we have no tolerance for violation of this well-established policy."