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Cops arrest entire drunk crew from Ukraine airline
We've occasionally written about a captain being pulled from his plane for being over the legal drinking limit, but arresting the entire crew for being drunk? Pretty sure that is a first. The airline in question is Ukraine based carrier Donbassaero. When local police acted on a tip, they boarded the Yak-42 plane and measured alcohol levels between 0.075 and 0.052 in every member of the crew - flight attendants, pilot and flight engineer. The legal limit in the Ukraine is 0.02.
The airline issued the following statement:
The flight was scheduled to fly from Simferopol to Kiev with 86 passengers and was just several minutes away from its departure time. The passengers ended up leaving for Kiev almost 12 hours late. The incident caught the attention of the federal government who have promised a full investigation."The exact causes behind the long delay in the departure of the plane are being investigated, after which Donbassaero's management will take adequate measures".
Gallery: Ten pilots you don't want in your cockpit
Filed under: Ukraine
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 4)
lektrkd Mar 12th 2010 4:59PM
I like my beer and all...but i like to arrive alive.....There is ZERO room for a pilot and alcohol in my book....too much precious cargo on board....Pilots should be .00000000000000!!!!!
rottielover73 Mar 12th 2010 5:02PM
yes for people who drive cars it is .08. but for people that drive buses, big rigs, or pretty much that you have to have a special license for that limit drops for these people because they are held at a higher standard. Most states level for these types of people is at .04, which is half of what a person with a normal license can operate with. Mostly this is because the vehicles are heavier and can do a whole lot more damage than a regular automobile. And as far as the airliners go carrying as many people as they do i would expect even that level be even lower for them with as many lives as they have in their hands in the air.
T Mar 12th 2010 5:13PM
The FAA limit in the US is .02 for all operations, whether it be flying the airplane or loading the bags. Thus, the limit in Florida is also .02 as this is a federal law.
joe Mar 12th 2010 5:35PM
you think bad its 00000000 in Ireland
zobby Mar 12th 2010 5:32PM
Damn Ruskies commies. What a garbage nation Ukraine and Russia.
AJ Andersen Mar 12th 2010 5:36PM
The next crew that decides to over-indulge, should bring along a designated flyer.
Marshall Mar 12th 2010 5:49PM
Those Yaks are getting bigger all the time! That Yak 42 is the size of a Boeing 727-l00
even. No, we can't have an intoxicated flight crew in charge of any plane at all.
I can remember when the security people smelled alcohol somewhere in Florida
when a America West pilot tried to pass through security a few years ago. They would
not let him board his plane. Come to think of it really it is risky to fly and drive when
a person is under the influence of alcohol. We have all been warned many times over,
haven't we?? Dont operate any machinery or power tools ,nor shall we fly and drive
while being drunk. We have to pay attention to the warnings.
ED CALKIN Mar 12th 2010 5:51PM
Ban the full crew from flying into the United States again. What the other countries do is their business.
michael Mar 12th 2010 6:15PM
Cigaretts kill you with cancer and alcoholics kill you with their cars. I say get rid of all the s--t.
wolfman Mar 12th 2010 6:18PM
Bring back prohibition we need it now more than ever.
Joan Mar 12th 2010 6:22PM
I was shocked until I read it was the Ukraine. Then I was shocked that they got arrested.
john Mar 12th 2010 6:31PM
Was the plane made by Toyota
john Mar 12th 2010 6:32PM
Is it possible the device used to measure the alcohol was miscalibrated or not functioning properly?
JudgeJudith Mar 12th 2010 6:33PM
No wonder I couldn't get my martini in first class !!
Drew G Patterson Mar 12th 2010 6:55PM
DGP
Let's stick to the real issue. It doesn't matter what the level is-they obviously
had drinks and didn't know what their level was. They drank without regard for the lives they were responsible for___ PERIOD!!!
CANCEL THEIR JOBS
CANCEL THEIR PENSION
CANCEL THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE
Let them serve as a reminder to others in this profession that such arrogance will not be tolorated.
Lisa Mar 12th 2010 6:46PM
This is crazy! No matter what, no one should ever drink and drive!!! Have you ever had a love one killed by a drunk driver? It's a hard thing to have to deal with. A pilot should not be under the influence at any time he or she is flying a plane. Most people can not drink at work, so why should a pilot have an actual drinking limit? CRAZY!!!!!!
RON Mar 12th 2010 7:52PM
IT TAKS A LOT TO MAKE A PLANE FLY BUT NOT MUCH TO MAKE IT CRASH.
NO ONE SHOULD LOOK OUT THE WINDOR AND HAVE TO WONDER IF THE CREW IS TIPSEY.
Karl Mar 12th 2010 7:50PM
Yes Wendy all the IDIOTS..... Guess that's why Toyota exec's are balking and apologizing for their is a problem with their cars. Hold on tight
co777capt Mar 12th 2010 7:48PM
Glad to be sitting on a beach in Hawaii since 2005. Also glad the flight crews are getting together again.
co777capt Mar 12th 2010 7:51PM
how else can they draw a limit? i'd rather fly with someone who had a beer 3 hours ago, than someone who drained a whiskey bottle 8 hours prior. flying since 1974, and part 91, 135, and 121 are ingrained in my brain.