Allegedly drunk airline co-pilot arrested

updated 2:55 p.m. ET March 30, 2004

HONOLULU - An Aloha Airlines co-pilot was arrested for allegedly being intoxicated as he was about to board a plane he was scheduled to help fly from California to Hawaii, the carrier said.

The pilot had a blood-alcohol level of .182 percent, more than twice Hawaii’s legal limit of .08 percent to operate a vehicle, Federal Aviation Administration officials said Monday.

The pilot was arrested Saturday by police in Oakland, Calif., and cited with intent to operate an aircraft while under the influence, Aloha said.

According to the FAA, no pilot may operate an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level of .04 percent or greater. Pilots are also banned from drinking eight hours before a flight.

“Aloha considers this to be a very serious matter,” the Honolulu-based airline said in a statement Monday. “We are conducting a thorough investigation and working in close cooperation with all concerned federal and local law enforcement agencies.”

The pilot, a first officer, has been removed from duty pending the outcome of the investigation, Aloha said.

He was not identified and the airline would not release any further details.

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