His blood sample showed he had 49 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood
A drunk pilot who tried to fly a Delta Air Lines plane from Scotland to the United States has been jailed for 10 months.according to guardianCaptain Lawrence Russell, 63, was found to have a blood alcohol level of almost two-and-a-half times on the day he was scheduled to fly the Boeing 767 from Edinburgh to New York.
The incident occurred on June 16 last year when Russell, wearing a pilot’s uniform, arrived at baggage check 80 minutes before departure. However, his carry-on luggage was rejected by the X-ray scanner because two bottles of Jagermeister were found in the luggage, one of which was opened and “half-full”.
He failed the breath test and his blood sample showed he had 49 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood – the legal limit is 20 milligrams.
The 63-year-old was sentenced at an Edinburgh court after pleading guilty to reporting to the pilot due to drink. Sheriff Alison Stirling said a custodial sentence was necessary to “protect the public”.
Lynne Barrie, fiscal prosecutor for Lothian and Borders, said: “Lawrence Russell’s actions would have endangered the lives of many people; the consequences could have been catastrophic. He had an impact on the safety of his passengers and crew. Showing reckless disregard. The pilot of a commercial aircraft held”
After serving his sentence, Mr. Russell may be rehired as a pilot, and he may return if Delta decides to bring him back.
The pilot had two previous convictions for drink driving in the United States. His defense lawyer, Pamela Rodgers, said he had not had a drink for 277 days after completing a rehabilitation program.
The Federal Aviation Administration stipulates that pilots must not have an alcohol concentration in their blood or breath of 0.04 or higher, which is half the legal limit for driving in the United States. The maximum penalty for anyone found to be “exceeding the prescribed limits” is two years in prison.
Follow us on Google news ,Twitter , and Join Whatsapp Group of thelocalreport.in