Former Southwest Pilot Gets One Year of Probation After Lewd Acts in the Cockpit
Joe Cortez June 01, 2021
A former Southwest Airlines pilot will be on probation for one year and face a $5,000 fine, after pleading guilty to federal charges related to a lewd act in the cockpit. In a plea agreement, 60-year-old Michael Haak disrobed and viewed pornographic material with a female co-pilot still in the compartment.
A former Southwest Airlines pilot based in Florida will be on probation for one year and be forced to pay a fine of $5,000, after pleading guilty to committing a lewd act on an aircraft he was in command of. In a press release, the U.S. District Attorney for the District of Maryland announced 60-year-old Michael Haak was convicted after entering into a plea agreement.
Pilot “Disrobed” and Viewed Pornography Next to Female First Officer
According to a plea agreement, Haak was the assigned captain and pilot-in-command of a Southwest flight departing Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on August 10, 2020. His first officer was a female aviator with whom he had never worked before.
Once the aircraft reached cruising altitude, Haak admitted that he got out of the captain’s chair, “intentionally disrobed,” and pulled out his laptop. While still in the cockpit, he began viewing pornographic material on the computer.
Even though the first officer remained in the cockpit working her assigned duty. Haak “further engaged in inappropriate conduct in the cockpit.” The press release did not elaborate on what exactly he was doing.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General and Southwest were all involved in the investigation. Conditions of his probation were not announced.
Acts Intended “As a Prank,” Costs Pilot Retirement Benefits
In a statement to the court reported by BBC News, Haak apologized for his actions and said it started “as a consensual prank between me and the other pilot.” Although Haak retired from Southwest prior to the incident being reported, the airline said in a statement they revoked the former aviator’s retirement benefits.
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I'm pretty stern on a lot of penalties but to lose your retirement pension is way further than I'd go. Wow.
If it was consensual, on the flight deck, nobody in the world would know about it. Clearly the FO did NOT think it was consensual...and (rightfully) reported the misconduct.
You be funny health 😏
"further engaged in inappropriate conduct in the cockpit." Gee I wonder what that could mean...
Is it any surprise that man of that generation, who as a lad had his marketing introduction to the airline industry in the era when the airlines were flaunting attractive stewardesses to "fly me", is a moral reprobate?