Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia was the scene of an unusual moment that delayed a 4 -hour flight. Pilot David Paul Allsop, 52, was arrested moments before running Southwest Airlines flight 3772 to Chicago after failing a police alcohol test.
According to the New York Post, Chatham County Sheriff Office agents approached the pilot directly to the aircraft cabin after noticing possible signs of drunkenness, such as glazed eyes and alcohol smell. Asked, AllSop admitted to drunk “last night, about ten hours ago.” Initially he refused to perform the test, but eventually accepted and failed to try to walk straight.
During the approach, registered on video by police body chambers, the agents also noticed that the pilot masked a mint tablet, which fell when he tried to clean his lips. The incident resulted in its immediate detention and removal from the operation.
Southwest Airlines confirmed that the flight was delayed four hours until another pilot took the command. The company apologized to the passengers and stressed that “the security of customers and employees is above all.” AllSop was suspended and the case is under investigation.
