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Norwegian Court Sentences BA Pilot, Purser
Friday June 24, 2:11 pm ET
By Doug Mellgren, Associated Press Writer
Norwegian Court Sentences British Airways Pilot, Purser to Prison in Alcohol Case
OSLO, Norway (AP) -- A Norwegian court sentenced the pilot of a British Airways airliner to six months in prison Friday for preparing to fly even though members of his crew were drunk.
The flight's purser was sentenced to 45 days in prison for being drunk on duty
Neither was present at the trial this week, and both have the right to appeal. Norway could request their extradition if they don't surrender voluntarily. A similar case against the co-pilot was still pending.
All three resigned from British Airways shortly after the Nov. 11, 2003, incident.
The Eidsvoll District Court found that the pilot, William A. McAuliffe, 51, was sober but must have known his co-pilot, David J. Ryan, 27, was intoxicated when preparing for takeoff from Oslo's airport.
"The court notes that McAuliffe (as captain) was the highest authority on board the aircraft and was responsible for his personnel being in a condition that allowed them to perform their jobs," the ruling said.
The case stems from a British Airways flight scheduled to leave from Oslo to London with 55 passengers. British Airways ground personnel suspected some of the crew had been drinking and called police, who went on board the Airbus A320 to conduct breath tests.
The flight was canceled, and police took McAuliffe, Ryan, and purser Michelle Giannandrea, 50, to hospital for blood tests. Flight pursers generally coordinate the activities of flight attendants and provide service to passengers.
Under Norwegian law, flight crews must have a blood alcohol level of less than 0.2 parts per million.
Ryan is accused of having a blood alcohol level of 1.02 parts per million, while Giannandrea's level was 1.34 parts per million.
McAuliffe tested negative for alcohol.
The case against Ryan was postponed because prosecutors had not been able to advise him of the charges ahead of the trial in Eidsvoll, about 30 miles north of Oslo, the ruling said.
British Airways spokeswomen Cathy L. West in London said the airline has a zero-tolerance policy on drinking before flying, and that all three resigned before facing any company disciplinary action.
"This was a rare incident but one incident is one too many," she said. "The airline recently introduced a new drugs and alcohol policy for all staff to adhere to which includes testing of staff."
Friday June 24, 2:11 pm ET
By Doug Mellgren, Associated Press Writer
Norwegian Court Sentences British Airways Pilot, Purser to Prison in Alcohol Case
OSLO, Norway (AP) -- A Norwegian court sentenced the pilot of a British Airways airliner to six months in prison Friday for preparing to fly even though members of his crew were drunk.
The flight's purser was sentenced to 45 days in prison for being drunk on duty
Neither was present at the trial this week, and both have the right to appeal. Norway could request their extradition if they don't surrender voluntarily. A similar case against the co-pilot was still pending.
All three resigned from British Airways shortly after the Nov. 11, 2003, incident.
The Eidsvoll District Court found that the pilot, William A. McAuliffe, 51, was sober but must have known his co-pilot, David J. Ryan, 27, was intoxicated when preparing for takeoff from Oslo's airport.
"The court notes that McAuliffe (as captain) was the highest authority on board the aircraft and was responsible for his personnel being in a condition that allowed them to perform their jobs," the ruling said.
The case stems from a British Airways flight scheduled to leave from Oslo to London with 55 passengers. British Airways ground personnel suspected some of the crew had been drinking and called police, who went on board the Airbus A320 to conduct breath tests.
The flight was canceled, and police took McAuliffe, Ryan, and purser Michelle Giannandrea, 50, to hospital for blood tests. Flight pursers generally coordinate the activities of flight attendants and provide service to passengers.
Under Norwegian law, flight crews must have a blood alcohol level of less than 0.2 parts per million.
Ryan is accused of having a blood alcohol level of 1.02 parts per million, while Giannandrea's level was 1.34 parts per million.
McAuliffe tested negative for alcohol.
The case against Ryan was postponed because prosecutors had not been able to advise him of the charges ahead of the trial in Eidsvoll, about 30 miles north of Oslo, the ruling said.
British Airways spokeswomen Cathy L. West in London said the airline has a zero-tolerance policy on drinking before flying, and that all three resigned before facing any company disciplinary action.
"This was a rare incident but one incident is one too many," she said. "The airline recently introduced a new drugs and alcohol policy for all staff to adhere to which includes testing of staff."
