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Second UK pilot arrested over alcohol concerns

The pilot was in charge of a commercial charter plane

Jon Stone
Friday 31 October 2014 11:44 GMT
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Pilots have a blood-alcohol limit of 20mg, compared to 80mg for motorists
Pilots have a blood-alcohol limit of 20mg, compared to 80mg for motorists (Vladimir Maravic/Vetta/Getty Creative)

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A second pilot in three days has been arrested at a UK airport over concerns that he had drunk alcohol.

Ian Jennings, 47, from Gosport in Hampshire, was arrested at Norwich Airport yesterday afternoon after landing a commercial chartered plane.

Norfolk Police said Mr Jennings has been charged with performing an aviation function with alcohol on his breath over the prescribed limit.

The charter pilot has been released on bail, and will appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court on 13 November, where he will face the allegation under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.

The plane affected is reported to be a Canadair CL601-3A Challenger.

The second charge comes just days after a pilot was arrested on suspicion of breaching alcohol regulations.

The 48-year-old pilot had been due to fly from Newquay Airport in Cornwall to London Gatwick on Tuesday when he was detained.

The flight concerned was cancelled, with passengers facing delays and some missing vital connections.

A spokesperson for the airline said: "Flybe can confirm that one of its pilots volunteered to help the police with their inquiries at Newquay Airport yesterday.

"The airline is not able to comment further while the police investigation is taking place."

The alcohol limit for pilots, air crew and air traffic controllers is 20mg per 100ml of blood, substantially lower than the drink-drive limit for motorists, which is 80mg.

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