Probe Doesn't Include Statements From Other Passengers On Flight

The Federal Aviation Administration has cleared US Airways of wrongdoing in an investigation of whether the carrier served alcohol to an already-intoxicated passenger, which resulted in his death as well as the deaths as a family of five.

Dana Papst was on a US Airways flight to Albuquerque, NM in November 2006, and was served alcohol. After disembarking, Papst got into his vehicle, turned the wrong way on Interstate 25 near Santa Fe and struck a vehicle three hours later -- killing himself and five members of a New Mexico family in a head-on collision. His blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit, as ANN reported.

Police said Papst also bought beer at a Bernalillo, NM convenience store after the flight.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, the FAA investigation included statements from carrier employees, all of whom said they did not see any indication of intoxication in Papst, but didn't include any interviews or statements from other passengers on that flight, who have said Papst appeared to be intoxicated.

FAA spokesman Roland Herwig told the Associated Press says there would be no official comment available until Monday.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson criticized the FAA, saying the agency should have conducted a more thorough investigation and says the outcome is not surprising given no passenger testimony was taken into consideration.

"This tragic incident is an example of why states must be more involved in regulating the serving of alcohol on airlines that fly into our state and have a direct impact on the public safety of New Mexico citizens," he said.

Following the crash, department officials reviewed airline liquor licenses, discovering US Airways was among several airlines that lacked state licenses, as ANN reported.

State officials cited US Airways in January in connection with the Papst accident, and prohibited the airline from serving liquor on New Mexico flights until the airline received a state liquor license and granted the carrier a 90-day temporary license.

One day before the temporary license was set to expire, state officials refused to grant an extension.

"US Airways has done little, if anything, to consider implementing the state's required alcohol server training to identify alcohol impaired or intoxicated passengers," the state Regulation and Licensing Department said in denying the extension.

US Airways Vice President Michael Minerva responded saying the company hadn't yet had a chance to incorporate any of the state's materials because the airline trains new flight attendants in September; there hasn't been a new class since the Papst crash. But, the company is considering the state's training program.

According to the AP, Papst had five DWI arrests prior to the November crash.

FMI: www.usairways.com, www.faa.gov