Pilot faces jail term for preparing to fly while over alcohol limit

AN AMERICAN pilot could be facing up to two years in jail for preparing to fly a passenger plane out of Heathrow Airport while over the alcohol limit.

Captain Erwin Vermont Washington, 51, was reported to police by a concerned colleague who smelled alcohol on his breath before the flight to Chicago.

There were 124 passengers and 11 crew members on board flight UA949, with departure of the United Airlines Boeing 767 "imminent", when officers arrived at Terminal One.

Washington, of Colorado, was found to have more than double the amount of alcohol in his blood allowed for flying.

He pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court, west London, yesterday.

Magistrates' chairman Geoff Edwards said their powers were insufficient to sentence Washington, who will instead be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court, south-west London, on 5 February.