DUI Charges Against Randy Babbitt Dropped | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Fri, May 11, 2012

DUI Charges Against Randy Babbitt Dropped

Arrest Let To FAA Chief's Resignation

The DUI charges which led to the resignation of former FAA administrator Randy Babbitt have been dropped by a Fairfax City, VA, judge.

Babbitt had been observed allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road, which led to the traffic stop last year. But the Associated Press reports that the judge determined that video of the stop showed that Babbitt was turning into a parking lot, not driving against traffic.

Babbitt had initially been placed on administrative leave from the agency, but tendered his resignation to DOT Secretary Ray LaHood. At the time, the agency was promoting a major driving safety campaign.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that General District Judge Ian O'Flaherty dismissed the case before prosecutors could present any evidence. He called the traffic stop a "hunch" on the part of the arresting officer. Babbitt's attorney said that Babbitt had tested just below the legal limit for a DUI on the first breath test, and that police are not permitted to continue testing looking for different results.

Prosecutors reportedly protested the judges decision, saying the officer had a legitimate reason to pull Babbitt over because of the way the turn was executed and that the failed to use a turn signal.

Babbitt had been appointed by President Obama to the top post at the FAA in 2009. At the time, he was hailed as a former airline pilot and union rep who understood the industry. He was replaced at the agency by long-time bureaucrat Michael Huerta, who was nominated to the post in March of this year but has not yet been confirmed by the Senate.

FMI: www.faa.gov

Advertisement

More News

NTSB Final Report: Aviat A1

Airplane Bounced About 3 Ft Then Touched Back Down And Then, With No Brakes Applied, The Airplane Began Veering To The Left Analysis: The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.08.25)

Aero Linx: British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) The primary focus within all aviation activity is SAFETY. In all aspects of our sport SAFETY must come first, whether it b>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Fly Corvair’s Reliable Engine Alternative

From SnF25 (YouTube Edition): William Wynne Builds Practical Aircraft Engines on the Corvair Platform Seeking an affordable alternative to the traditional aircraft engine options, >[...]

ANN FAQ: Contributing To Aero-TV

How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: CiES Fuel-Quantity and e-Throttle Systems Praised

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Bridge of CiES CiES Inc. is a Bend, Oregon-based designer and manufacturer of modular embedded aircraft systems and sensors. The company’s fuel-l>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC