A Japan Airlines pilot yesterday (1 November) admitted being almost 10 times over the alcohol limit shortly before a flight from London Heathrow Airport.
Police said first officer Katsutoshi Jitsukawa, 42, was arrested at the airport after failing a breath test just 50 minutes before the Boeing 777 flight JL44 to Tokyo was due to take off with him in the cockpit.
Jitsukawa pleaded guilty to exceeding the alcohol limit at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court yesterday according to the Metropolitan Police.
Tests revealed he had 189mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system – nearly 10 times the legal limit of 20mg for on-duty pilots.
He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on 29 November.
Japan Airlines apologised and pledged to “implement immediate actions to prevent any future occurrence”, and the carrier added that “safety remains our utmost priority”.
