Jetliner Pilots Charged With Flying Drunk

Three former Northwest Airlines pilots were charged by federal and state officials Thursday with operating an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol.

Charges were filed separately by the U.S. attorney’s office in Minneapolis and by North Dakota officials against Capt. Norman Prouse, First Officer Robert Kirchner and Second Officer Joseph Balzer.

Prouse, Balzer and Kirchner piloted Flight 650 from Fargo, N.D., to Minneapolis on March 8 and were detained upon landing, after a tip to federal authorities that the crew had been drinking the night before.

The airline fired the three and the Federal Aviation Administration revoked their pilot licenses.