American Airlines Pilot Arrested for Being Drunk Before Flight

by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:10 AM ET, Fri February 8, 2019

Police arrested an American Airlines pilot at Manchester Airport Thursday after it was discovered he was drunk before his scheduled flight to Philadelphia.

According to The Associated Press, Greater Manchester Police officials said they received a report of a pilot possibly under the influence of alcohol Thursday morning around 11 a.m. local time and found the unidentified 62-year-old male pilot.

After a field sobriety test found that he was over the prescribed alcohol limit, he was arrested on suspicion of performing an aviation function while under the influence. The pilot was bailed out of jail a short time later.

Officials from American Airlines confirmed one of the three members of the crew scheduled to operate Flight AA735 to Philadelphia International Airport had been detained at the English airport.

As a result, Flight AA735 was canceled and passengers were rebooked on other flights.

"Safety is our highest priority and we apologize to our customers for the disruption to their travel plans, we have rebooked them on alternative flights," an American spokesperson told NBC Philadelphia. "We are fully cooperating with local law enforcement and further questions should be referred to them."

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