Jail threat to drink charge pilot

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. 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 Lakewood, Colorado, was found to have more than double the amount of alcohol in his blood allowed for flying when he was tested. He pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court, west London, to being a member of aviation staff performing an aviation function while exceeding the proscribed alcohol limit. 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 February 5. Chris Humphreys, defending, said Washington was "remorseful for events". He said legislation regarding aviation staff over the legal limit for flying had only been used seven times since it was introduced in the Railway and Transport Act 2003. Referring to two similar cases which were heard at Isleworth Crown Court last year, he said another United Airlines pilot was given a suspended sentence in March after giving a reading of 60 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. In July, an American Airlines pilot who recorded a reading of 39 milligrams of alcohol was given a fine, he added. At crown court, Washington could be jailed for a maximum of two years and given a fine, or solely face a financial punishment.(my view)- Could be....could be...he should for putting all these lives at risk...he should NEVER fly again!