Pilot to appear in court
on alcohol chargeThe Aloha Air co-pilot allegedly
was about to fly a plane while
under the influence
A co-pilot for Aloha Airlines who was recently cited by police with the intent to operate an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol is scheduled to appear in Oakland Superior Court next month.
The co-pilot was removed from flight duty pending the outcome of the investigation, according to Aloha Airlines spokesman Stu Glauberman. Aloha Airlines is working with federal and Oakland law enforcement officials on the incident.
"Based on the facts and circumstances established, appropriate action will be taken," Glauberman said.
The co-pilot has been employed with Aloha Airlines since April 2001. Police or Aloha Airlines did not release his name.
The 39-year-old man is scheduled to appear in court on April 26, according to Oakland police Sgt. Larry Krupp.
The co-pilot and other crew members were on a two-day layover in the San Francisco Bay area when the co-pilot reported to Oakland Airport on Saturday morning to head back to Hawaii on Flight 441 with 120 passengers that was scheduled to depart at 9:05 a.m.
Krupp said airport personnel smelled alcohol coming from the co-pilot as he passed through a security checkpoint. Airport police were contacted and a security agent went down to the tarmac where the co-pilot was administering a preflight inspection.
"He knew what was up," Krupp said. Police detained the co-pilot at the jetway.
He had red, glassy eyes and a strong odor of alcohol emanating from his breath, Krupp said.
"He looked flush and his hair was a mess," he added. "He was very cooperative and understood the significance of his ramifications. He was apologetic and upset. He realized the seriousness of the issue."
Police administered a breathalyzer test that indicated a blood-alcohol level of 0.182, more than four times the Federal Aviation Administration's legal limit.
According to the FAA, no pilot may operate an aircraft with a blood-alcohol level of 0.04 or greater. The legal limit in Hawaii and California to operate a vehicle is 0.08.
Two minutes after the co-pilot took the breathalyzer test, police administered a second test that indicated a blood-alcohol level of 0.179.
Krupp said the co-pilot was taken to Alameda County Hospital, where he took a third breathalyzer test at 10:55 p.m. that showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.103.
Police cited the co-pilot with intent to operate an aircraft while under the influence.
Flight 441 left Oakland Airport 37 minutes after its scheduled flight. Police said the co-pilot was replaced by another pilot who drove in from Sacramento.
