by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:48 AM ET, Thu April 28, 2016
Photo courtesy of JetBlue
A JetBlue pilot was in court Wednesday after being arrested for allegedly flying a passenger airplane while under the influence of alcohol.
According to ABCNews.com, former JetBlue pilot Dennis Murphy was selected for a random alcohol test on April 21, 2015, after piloting two flights between Orlando and New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
READ MORE: American Airlines Co-pilot Fails Breathalyzer
The breath alcohol technician who administered the test on Murphy told the court that the pilot's face was red and that he was chewing gum very rapidly. When the pilot allegedly blew a 0.111 and a 0.091 during the alcohol test, he told administers that the gum must have caused the results.
Murphy also reportedly questioned why he was being tested despite only being hired by JetBlue just three months prior. In addition, Murphy's co-pilot on the flights noted that he was drinking an unknown liquid before and during each flight.
In total, the two flights piloted by Murphy carried 270 passengers.
In response to the positive alcohol test, JetBlue immediately removed Murphy from flight status and the pilot submitted his resignation a short time later. If convicted of flying a commercial plane under the influence, Murphy could face up to 15 years in prison.
READ MORE: Air Astana Captain Fired After Getting Caught with Marijuana
"JetBlue has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy," JetBlue told ABCNews.com. "Following last year's incident, the crewmember was removed from duty and is no longer employed at JetBlue."
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