Authorities removed a JetBlue pilot from the cockpit on Wednesday who had a blood alcohol level four times over the legal limit.
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority said that a Transportation Security Administration officer noticed that James Clifton, 54, appeared to be intoxicated when passing through security at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, according to a statement obtained by CBS News.
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Clifton was later removed from the cockpit by airport police and administered a breathalyzer test which registered as a 0.17 blood alcohol level, over four times the legal limit to fly of 0.04 set by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Clifton’s plane, headed to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was delayed by over four hours, according to FlightAware.
The NFTA told the outlet that Clifton was released into JetBlue security and could face federal charges.
JetBlue spokesman Derek Dombrowski told the Washington Examiner that the pilot had “been removed from his duties.”
“The safety of JetBlue’s customers and crewmembers is our first priority,” Dombrowski said.” We are aware of the incident that occurred this morning in Buffalo and are cooperating fully with law enforcement. We are also conducting our own internal investigation.”
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FAA’s drug and alcohol testing regulations state that pilots are prohibited from consuming alcohol within eight hours of flying.
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
