LOS ANGELES (CN) - A former Alaska Airlines captain was arrested and charged with piloting a commercial flight under the influence of alcohol - a felony.
Davis Hans Arntson, 60, of Newport Beach, was arrested on Jan. 20 and charged with the felony on Thursday in Federal Court. He was released on $25,000 bond and ordered to appear for arraignment on Feb. 10, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Alaska Airlines hired him as a pilot in 1982 and promoted him to captain in 1987, according to the indictment.
Arntson is the only defendant. Alaska Airlines is not a party to the case.
Arntson piloted two Alaska Airlines flights on June 20, 2014, according to the indictment: from San Diego International Airport to Portland, Ore., then from Portland to John Wayne Airport in Orange County.
He was randomly selected for drug and alcohol testing in Orange County and blew blood alcohol concentrations of 0.134 and 0.142, prosecutors said.
The technician told the airline, which removed Arntson from duty. Then he retired.
The first officer/co-pilot on the flights told investigators that when Arntson saw drug testers waiting at the gate, he said, "I bet it's for me," according to the indictment.
He is charged with operating a common carrier under the influence of alcohol. It is punishable by up to 15 years in federal prison.
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