Delta Air Lines pilot acquitted of flying plane while drunk
By Associated Press, 2/12/2003 17:05
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) A co-pilot removed from a Delta Air Lines flight after security screeners said they smelled liquor on his breath was acquitted Wednesday of operating a plane under the influence of alcohol.
Gary A. Schroeder, 42, of Yorktown was found innocent of the misdemeanor charge by General District Judge Norman A. Thomas.
While evidence showed Schroeder apparently had been drinking, there was no evidence that he was under the influence of alcohol, Schroeder said.
Transportation Security Administration employees testified that Schroeder smelled of alcohol when he passed through Norfolk International Airport screening on Dec. 26.
Airport police said they administered a preliminary alcohol test, but they did not describe the results in court and the judge didn't ask.
At the time, Ken Scott, executive director of the Norfolk Airport Authority, said a test administered to Schroeder had registered a blood-alcohol level of 0.07 percent. The Federal Aviation Administration's limit for a flight crew member is 0.04.