Must Serve Five Years Probation, Surrender Pilot Certificate

A pilot who had been charged with operating and aircraft under the influence in Florida has been sentenced to five years probation and must surrender his pilot certificate.

Florida Today reports that Circuit Judge Morgan Reinman imposed the sentence after Christopher Hall pleaded "No Contest" to charges of child neglect and operating an aircraft under the influence. On May 27 last year, Hall, 58, from Satellite Beach, FL, attempted to take off in a Cessna aircraft while intoxicated and crashed the airplane into an antenna shed before becoming airborne. He had his 10-year-old son on board at the time of the accident.

Hall was required to surrender his pilot certificate for the duration of the probation, and may not reapply for reinstatement until after he has finished the sentence and performs 50 hours of community service. He must also may not possess or consume alcohol, submit to regular testing, and must pay a $575 fee to the Orlando Melbourne International Airport Police Department.

Neither Hall or his son was seriously injured in the accident. His estranged wife Jeannie asked the court to prevent him from carrying their children as passengers in an aircraft until they are 18 years old.

FMI: www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/drug_alcohol/regulations