3 Plead Not Guilty to Flying Airliner While Intoxicated
Three Northwest Airlines crew members accused of flying while intoxicated pleaded not guilty in federal court on Tuesday.
U.S. Magistrate J. Earl Cudd set a trial date of June 11 for Capt. Norman Prouse of Conyers, Ga.; 1st Officer Robert Kirchner of Highland Ranch, Colo., and flight engineer Joseph Balzer of Antioch, Tenn. U.S. District Judge James Rosenbaum will preside at the trial.
The crew members were arrested at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport on March 8 after a dawn flight from Fargo, N.D. They were accused of drinking at a Fargo bar late the night before.
Northwest fired the three, and the Federal Aviation Administration revoked their licenses.
Felony indictments for operating a common carrier under the influence of alcohol were returned April 4 against Prouse, Kirchner and Balzer. A single trial is scheduled, although Balzer’s attorney said he would try to get his client a separate trial.
The three face misdemeanor charges in North Dakota and are scheduled to appear in Cass County Court in Fargo on Thursday.
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