Whatever
Happened To...
Charges dropped
against pilot over
airport screeningQuestion: Whatever happened to the American Airlines pilot who was arrested for allegedly assaulting an airline screener?
Answer: The city prosecutor dropped charges against pilot Harry Hartsough of Texas, according to his attorney David Hayakawa. However, a civil case filed by the screener, Michael Botelho, against Hartsough in U.S. District Court is still pending.
According to Hayakawa, city prosecutors filed a motion June 19 to dismiss the case and decline further prosecution for lack of evidence after reviewing airport security tapes and records on the alleged assault.
The tapes showed the screener rubbing his eye but no evidence of any assault by Hartsough, no arguing, yelling or throwing a tantrum as implied by the media, Hayakawa said. "This was an accident, if anything."
Prosecutors could not even say Hartsough was responsible for the accident, he said.
The screener had requested Hartsough remove his belt and shoes after the metal detectors beeped.
Hartsough told them he would comply if allowed to go to a private changing room but was told there was none available. An exasperated Hartsough complied. Botelho later told a supervisor that the boot hit him in the eye while Hartsough was taking it off.
But no one saw the boot hit Botelho and "no one, including the victim knows what happened," Hayakawa said.
The pilot was allowed through but was later arrested for third-degree assault before checking into his plane. He was released after posting $100 bail.
The incident made national news but Hayakawa said the case "was really a travesty -- smearing a good man's reputation."
Because of his profession, Hartsough needed access into airport. However, if he were involved in a violent incident, he could be banned from certain areas at the airport or denied the approvals required for operating a plane.
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