There have been many headline reports in the press. Here is the largest report in the UK press that I could find plus a few other aditional items that may be of interest.
'Drunk' pilot who prepared to take off from Heathrow Airport avoids jail | Mail Online
Isleworth Crown Court today heard that Washington, from Lakewood, Colorado, was an experienced airline captain who had also served in the US Air Force in every conflict between 1984 and 2005.
However, Judge Sam Katkhuda criticised the growing number of pilots appearing in court charged with excess alcohol as he gave Washington a ten-month suspended jail sentence.
He warned United Airlines any other pilot found to be over the limit will face prison.
The judge said: 'This type of behaviour by a pilot of an aircraft is regarded as a very serious matter indeed.
'In this court, situated as it is so close to Heathrow, we have to deal with an increasing number of cases involving airline pilots who arrive at Heathrow to fly passenger aircraft while having excess alcohol in their blood.
'This is simply not acceptable. It was entirely voluntary on your part that you consumed alcoholic drink.
'As a pilot yourself you know well that travelling on an aircraft does not only place a special duty on passengers to behave in an orderly manner but also places a special responsibility on pilots who must comply with their duty not to have consumed alcohol above the proscribed limit.
'It's sad to see a man of your experience and background before a court for a criminal offence.
'The rules regarding the consumption of alcohol by pilots who are on duty are there for a purpose and those rules must be obeyed.'
He told Washington flying while over the limit could have resulted in catastrophe.
He added: 'In the circumstances of this case, the least possible sentence I can impose is ten months imprisonment but having heard the mitigation presented to me and testimonials of 15 people who know you well, I am prepared on this occasion to suspend the sentence for a period of two years.'
Two of United Airlines chief pilots, Captains Bo Ellis and Walter Clarke, attended court after flying to the UK especially to support father-of-three Washington. His wife Barbara was also in the court room.
The court heard he had 50 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 20ml.
Neil Fitzgibbons, in mitigation, described the case as a 'miscalculation' that put his career on the line.
He said: 'He regrets that he has put his entire future and career on the line.
'Captain Washington knows the serious position he is in having put everything on the line for what was a miscalculation on his part.'
The court heard Washington has been placed on a evaluation programme by United Airlines and will not be able to fly for at least 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £350 in costs.
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1252348/Drunk-pilot-prepared-Heathrow-Airport-avoids-jail.html#ixzz0g6us4kav
Another report that seems to
only appear in the Daily Mirror which is a little suprising.
Drunk 767 pilot avoids prison term - mirror.co.uk
--- His barrister told Isleworth crown court: "This came
as a consequence of Captain Washington not expecting to do this particular flight "It was a miscalculation, he apologises to all concerned.
This part does not seem to be reported anywhere else. Was he switched from operating a later flight?
In another report
....told the court that Washington was currently enrolled in a rehab program, and United Airlines "wish to retain his services."