Two former US pilots accused of trying to fly a packed Airbus while drunk were formally charged today.
Pilots Christopher Hughes and Thomas Cloydwere in the cockpit of the America West plane on July 1st, 2002, as it was being towed to the runway for takeoff from Miami International Airport on a flight to Phoenix, Arizona, when air traffic controllers ordered the plane back to the gate.
A security screener told authorities she smelled alcohol on the pilots, and later said in court that the aroma was so strong she feared they would light up "like a dragon" if anyone lit a match. Prosecutors say the pilots drank beer for seven hours on the night before the morning flight.
The America West plane had 124 passengers and three flight attendants on board.
Police breath tests showed that Cloyd's blood alcohol level measured 0.09 and Hughes, the co-pilot, measured 0.08. Both had their pilot's licenses canceled by the Federal Aviation Administration.
They were also fired by America West.
If convicted under federal law, the pilots face a maximum prison term of 15 years and a maximum fine of $250,000.