Ex-Alaska Air Pilot Pleads Not Guilty To Flying Drunk

A former Alaska Airlines pilot has pleaded not guilty to a charge of flying passenger aircraft between California and Oregon in 2014 while under the influence of alcohol.

David Arntson, 60, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Los Angeles, said Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for prosecutors.

Arntson was arrested on January 20 and arraigned in Los Angeles, according to the US Attorney for the Central District of California.

The charges stem from two Alaska Airlines flights on June 20, 2014, according to prosecutors. Arntson flew from San Diego to Portland, Oregon, and then flew from there to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California.

It is not known how many passengers were on the flights.

After landing on his last flight, Arntson was selected for a random drug test, according to prosecutors. Separate tests found he had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.134 percent and 0.142 percent.

Under federal law, a person operating a commercial airliner is deemed "under the influence" if his or her blood-to-alcohol level is at or above .10 percent.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. Arntson was released from custody on a USD$25,000 bond, prosecutors said.

When Arntson saw the drug tester after he landed in Orange County, his co-pilot recalled him saying, "I bet it's for me," according to the criminal complaint filed by prosecutors last month.

Following the drug test results, Alaska Airlines removed Arntson from duty. The Seattle-based carrier said he refused to submit to an investigatory interview.

"Mr. Arntson left the company before we were able to complete an investigation that would have led to his termination," the airline said in a statement last month.

It is unclear exactly when Arntson left the company. Alaska Airlines declined comment.

A trial is set for April 5, and a pre-trial conference is set for March 28.