Delta, Dutch Authorites Investigate, Pilot Fined

According to a statement released by Delta Airlines, via Twitter, Flight No. 35, serving Newark via Amsterdam, was cancelled "out of concern that a crew member appeared to be unfit for duty." 

BNO reports a 52-year-old capatin from Woodbury, NJ was pulled from the cockpit of a Delta Airlines jet as he prepared to fly a trans-atlantic flight from Amsterdams's Schiphol Airport to Newark, NJ on Tuesday.

Delta states, "Local Amsterdam authorities met with the crew member to begin their investigation and we are cooperating fully, while simultaneously launching our own internal investigation."  

Bloomberg News says authorities pulled the pilot off his plane after receiving an anonymous tip that he was drunk and that a breath test showed the pilot’s blood-alcohol level exceeded the legal limit.

Passengers, according to Delta's statement,reaccommodated on other flights.

Delta states that it its alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry and we have no tolerance for violations.

If the pilot attempted to take off with a blood alcohol level of .023, the pilot could lose his medical certificate -- and his ability to fly. The FAA restrictions on alcohol include a ban on any drinking by a pilot within eight hours of a flight.

Bloomberg also reports the pilot was fined approximately $900 USD by Dutch prosecutors.

FMI: http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=18&item=100