Another U.K. Pilot Arrested Due to Intoxication Concerns, Pilot Flew Over Prescribed Limit

A second British pilot was arrested last week due to concerns that he’d flown a commercial charter plane while intoxicated.

Another British pilot has been arrested at one of the country’s airports due to blood alcohol level concerns, reports The Independent. Ian Jennings, 47, was arrested on 30 October at Norwich International Airport (NWI).

Jennings was detained by police after landing a commercial charter plane, reported to be a Canadair CL601-3A Challenger, at NWI. He has been charged with performing an aviation function while being over the legal alcohol limit set by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

While Jennings has since been released on bail, The Independent reports that he will appear before Norwich Magistrates’ Court on November 13 to face the allegation under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.

Jennings was the second British pilot to be arrested in a three-day period on suspicion of alcohol-related violations at an airport in the U.K. On October 29, an unnamed 48 year-old pilot for Flybe was arrested at Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY). The pilot was arrested shortly before departure, after a concerned member of the flight crew contacted police.

The pilot was detained and the flight, which was bound for Gatwick Airport (LGW), was cancelled. Flybe issued a statement shortly after the incident, confirming that an investigation is underway and one of its pilots had agreed to help authorities with their inquiry. The airline said it was unable to comment further on the case.

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