Grand Jury Indicts Pilots Accused of Being Drunk
A federal grand jury in Miami has indicted two America West pilots who were fired for allegedly being drunk in the cockpit just before takeoff from Miami International Airport in 2002.
The indictment released Thursday charges pilot Thomas Cloyd, 46, and co-pilot Christopher Hughes, 43, with being under the influence of alcohol while operating an airplane.
The two, who pleaded not guilty, had been accused of taking the controls after a night of heavy drinking. The jetliner was stopped and returned to the gate after security guards reported smelling alcohol on the pilots.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
