‘Drink-fly’ pilot appears in court

A Virgin Atlantic pilot who is accused of attempting to fly a passenger plane while under the influence of alcohol has appeared in court in the United States. As reported by News From Abroad, Captain Richard Harwell was arrested in December after airport staff at Washington Dulles smelt alcohol on his breath. He had been due to pilot a plane, with 383 passengers and 17 crew, back to London’s Heathrow airport. The BBC News website reports that there was a “stunned silence” on the aircraft when passengers were told that the pilot had been accused of drinking alcohol. After being charged with attempting to operate an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol, Harwell was freed on bail but was made to stay in the United States until after his trial. The BBC reports that Harwell did not enter a plea yesterday, and will face another hearing on Friday. If the pilot is convicted he could face as long as five years in jail. Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad