California Man Accused Of 'Endangering Life And Property Of Another'

FAA officials have ordered Michael B. Ferrero of Penngrove, CA, to surrender his pilot certificate or face fines of $1,100 per day following charges that he operated an airplane while intoxicated.

The emergency revocation order came after the 62-year-old Ferrero was observed flying eratically over a highway and failed a field sobriety test after landing on January 3rd. The Santa Rosa (CA) Press-Democrat reports that a CHP pilot saw Ferrero flying at just 500 feet over a highway with "at least moderate vehicular traffic," and performing aerobatics at less than 1,500 AGL. After he landed at Petaluma Municipal Airport, he was tested by police, found to be over the legal limit to operate an airplane, and arrested.

Ferrero has pleaded not guilty to two counts of reckless flying, drunken flying, and flying with a blood-alcohol level over .004 percent. FAA spokesman Ian Gregor told the paper that the FAA reviewed the allegations and issued the emergency revocation of his pilot certificate.

FMI: www.faa.gov