Pilot jailed for being over alcohol limit before Edinburgh to New York flight

An American pilot who was caught over the alcohol limit before a flight from Edinburgh to New York has been jailed for 10 months.

Captain Lawrence Russell, 63, was found to be almost two-and-a-half times over the legal limit as he prepared to take charge of the trans-Atlantic flight on the morning of 16 June 2023.

Russell, from Georgia, was scheduled to fly the Boeing 767 from Scotland to JFK Airport but was stopped after his carry-on baggage was rejected by an X-ray security machine.

Security found two bottles of Jagermeister - one of which had been opened and was half-full.

Russell, who was wearing a pilot's uniform and a Delta lanyard, admitted the alcohol belonged to him.

He failed a breath test, with a later blood sample showing he had 49 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood - the legal limit being 20mg.

Russell admitted to reporting for duty as a pilot while being impaired through alcohol.

Guilty plea

He pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 6 March and returned for sentencing on Tuesday.

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Lynne Barrie, Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders, said: "Lawrence Russell's conduct would have endangered many lives; the consequences could have been catastrophic.

"He showed a reckless disregard for the safety of his passengers and crew. The pilot of a commercial aircraft holds the lives of hundreds in his hands. He would have put all of them at serious risk.

"This conviction should send the message that crimes of this nature will be robustly dealt with."

A Delta spokesperson said: "Delta was aware of this incident and removed the pilot from service while conducting a thorough investigation in coordination with Scottish authorities."