UnitedExpress pilot indicted for flying drunk
03-17-2011 | 04:05 PM
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From: Captain 737
UnitedExpress pilot indicted for flying drunk
DENVER — A pilot for United Express is being accused of flying while drunk on a December 2009 flight from Austin to Denver.
A federal grand jury in Denver indicted 32-year-old Aaron Jason Cope of Norfolk, Va. late Wednesday. He's charged with unlawfully operating and directing the operation of a common carrier while under the influence of alcohol.
The indictment says the incident occurred on a Dec. 8, 2009 United Express flight. Cope was second-in-command, serving as the co-pilot.
A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office, Jeff Dorschner, wouldn't elaborate on if or how much time Cope spent at the controls. A message left for Cope wasn't immediately returned. Federal agents were trying to find him.
He faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
A federal grand jury in Denver indicted 32-year-old Aaron Jason Cope of Norfolk, Va. late Wednesday. He's charged with unlawfully operating and directing the operation of a common carrier while under the influence of alcohol.
The indictment says the incident occurred on a Dec. 8, 2009 United Express flight. Cope was second-in-command, serving as the co-pilot.
A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office, Jeff Dorschner, wouldn't elaborate on if or how much time Cope spent at the controls. A message left for Cope wasn't immediately returned. Federal agents were trying to find him.
He faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
03-17-2011 | 04:22 PM
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From: CRJ FO
!
03-17-2011 | 04:58 PM
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From: CRJ FO
What's even more interesting is why it supposedly happened almost a year and a half ago but he's just now being arrested. Was he presumably fired a long time ago but they're just getting around to charges? Because I feel like those America West guys in Miami a few years back were arrested right away.
Last edited by jheath; 03-17-2011 at 04:58 PM. Reason: typo
03-17-2011 | 05:28 PM
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From: B-747-400/8
Anyway...bad news once again...funny it tool a year and a half to make the news.
It was Shuttle BTW
03-17-2011 | 05:38 PM
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From: Furloughed
I'm glad its United's name all over this news and not Shuttle America. You contract with a regional, you're responsible for their actions. Hate it when any bad news just gets buried under the regional's name.
03-17-2011 | 06:10 PM
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