An Associated Press report says that police in London arrested the co-pilot of a Virgin Atlantic passenger jet on suspicion of being over the legal alcohol limit, minutes before the flight was due to take off for the US on Sunday, authorities said.
London police said officers boarded the Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-600 as it was undergoing final checks before takeoff from Heathrow Airport to Miami and a 42-year-old crew member was arrested.
Virgin Atlantic confirmed the man was a first officer on the plane, which has a three-person flight crew and that he was released on bail but was suspended from duty pending a police investigation.
The flight, VS5, with 266 passengers on board was delayed for three and a half hours while a replacement crew was found.
Airline regulations, in accordance with transport law, recommend flight crews drink no alcohol for at least eight hours before flying.
A Report by The Mole
