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Drink-accused pilot 'not guilty' Drink-accused pilot 'not guilty'
(20 minutes later)
An airline pilot accused of turning up for work while six times over the limit to fly has been cleared by a jury.An airline pilot accused of turning up for work while six times over the limit to fly has been cleared by a jury.
American Airlines pilot James Yates, 46, from Ohio, was alleged to have arrived at Manchester Airport drunk, smelling of alcohol and unsteady.American Airlines pilot James Yates, 46, from Ohio, was alleged to have arrived at Manchester Airport drunk, smelling of alcohol and unsteady.
Although he was almost six-and-a-half times over the drink-fly limit, Mr Yates claimed he never intended to fly. Although he was over the limit, Mr Yates never intended to fly, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court found him not guilty of acting as first officer while over the limit. He was found not guilty of carrying out an activity ancillary to an aviation function while over the drink limit.
Drinking session
Earlier, the court heard he was to be one of three pilots on the American Airlines flight to Chicago on 11 February last year.Earlier, the court heard he was to be one of three pilots on the American Airlines flight to Chicago on 11 February last year.
Mr Yates told police he turned up for work to tell the captain he was sick and it was not his intention to be part of the crew. The jury heard he had been out for a drinking session in Manchester the night before he was due for work.
The pilot was stopped when he could not find his pass at a security gate at the airport. He was stopped when he could not find his pass at a security gate at the airport and was said to be dishevelled, red-faced and appeared drunk, the court heard.
But Mr Yates told police he turned up at the airport to tell the captain he was unfit for work and it was not his intention to be part of the crew.
He did not board the Boeing 767 aircraft, which had 181 passengers on board.He did not board the Boeing 767 aircraft, which had 181 passengers on board.