Flight 3772 of Southwest Airlines, set to depart from Savannah, Georgia, to Chicago, encountered an unexpected incident during takeoff preparations. The flight was halted, and the pilot, David Allsop, was arrested after being found intoxicated in the cockpit.
Drunk Pilot Intercepted Before Takeoff
David Allsop, 52, reported for duty fully intoxicated on Wednesday morning at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Authorities intervened as the plane began taxiing on the runway. An officer entered the cockpit, detected the smell of alcohol, and placed Allsop under arrest.
Passenger Robert Newmerch described the scene: “The plane had started to move when it suddenly stopped. I saw a police officer board the plane and head to the cockpit. Minutes later, the pilot exited the plane with the officer.”
Southwest Airlines: Pilot Terminated
Southwest Airlines confirmed the incident and announced that the pilot had been relieved of duty. A spokesperson for the airline stated, “Customers were rebooked on alternative flights, and we apologize for the disruption. Safety is our top priority.”
FAA Alcohol Policy and the Violation’s Extent
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strictly prohibits pilots from flying within 8 hours of consuming alcohol or with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeding 0.04%.
In the Savannah incident, authorities reported smelling alcohol upon entering the cockpit. However, details about David Allsop’s BAC level have not been disclosed.
Passenger Reactions and Delays
Passengers expressed frustration over the pilot’s arrest and the subsequent 4-hour delay. Robert Newmerch commented, “I can’t board a plane without taking off my shoes, yet a pilot tries to fly while intoxicated. This is unbelievable negligence.”
Southwest Airlines reported that the delayed flight eventually departed safely at 11:00 AM local time, with all passengers accommodated on alternate flights.
© AeroHaber.com
Aviation News and Defense Industry news published on our website cannot be used without proper attribution.
