Alaska Airlines pilot, David Hans Arnston, from Newport Beach, CA has been sentenced with one year and one day in federal prison after admitting to flying an airplane carrying over 80 travelers while intoxicated.
Arnston has been with Alaska Airlines for over 20 years and confessed to flying two planes on 20 June 2014 while under the influence. One flight travelled from San Diego, CA to Portland, OR, and the other from Portland, OR to Orange County, CA.
An airline technician issued Arnston a random drug and alcohol test at John Wayne Airport. After two breathalyzer checks, it was confirmed that his blood alcohol content was between 0.134 and 0.142 percent, which was well above the federal limit of 0.04.
Following the incident, Arnston retired and agreed to plea guilty of the charges against him. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has removed his pilot license and ordered him to pay a $10,000 fine.
Arnston allegedly hid his drinking problem from Alaska Airlines for a majority of his career, which means he piloted hundreds of flights while over the legal limit.
The airline couldn't reveal any details on Arnston's misconduct, but did mention that safety is one of their top priorities.
**None of the photos above are my original content.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/alaska-airlines-pilot-prison-flying-under-influence