Alleged Drunken Pilot Case Heading To Grand Jury
Pilot Waives Right To Preliminary Hearing
POSTED: 11:17 AM EST February 3, 2004
UPDATED: 11:53 AM EST February 3, 2004
LEESBURG, Va. --
A Loudoun County grand jury will decide whether Virgin Atlantic pilot [redacted] should face a criminal trial for allegedly attempting to fly an airplane while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
[redacted] appeared before a judge in Leesburg, Va., Monday to waive his right to a preliminary hearing in connection with the December incident at Dulles International Airport.
Security screeners reportedly smelled alcohol on [redacted]'s breath as he prepared to fly a Virgin Atlantic flight bound for London with 400 passengers aboard.
If convicted, [redacted] faces state charges that carry penalties of up to five years in prison and $2,500 in fines.
The Loudoun County grand jury meets on March 8. The prosecutor in the case said the panel will decide whether there is substantial cause to proceed with trial.
Virgin Atlantic suspended [redacted] from flight operations and they have declined to comment on the case.
http://www.nbc4.com/news/2814169/detail.html