NATION : Pilots Deny Flying While Drunk
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MINNEAPOLIS — Three Northwest Airlines pilots accused of flying while intoxicated pleaded not guilty today in federal court.
U.S. Magistrate J. Earl Cudd set June 11 as the trial date for Capt. Norman Prouse of Conyers, Ga., First Officer Robert Kirchner of Highland Ranch, Colo., and flight engineer Joseph Balzer of Antioch, Tenn. They will be tried before U.S. District Judge James Rosenbaum.
Felony indictments for operating a common carrier under the influence of alcohol were returned against the crew members on April 4.
The three were arrested March 8 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport after a 6:25 a.m. flight from Fargo, N.D. Northwest fired the three pilots, and the Federal Aviation Administration revoked their pilot licenses.
The crew members have not been jailed. They are forbidden to fly as one of the conditions of their release.
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