Easyjet pilot high on ecstasy banned from flying
The 49-year-old pilot was discovered to be taking drugs when his phone was tapped by police
A French pilot has been barred for life from flying planes after he admitted struggling to land a plane after taking ecstasy the night before. The father of three flies the 180 seat Airbus 320.
He was handed a twelve month suspended prison sentence yesterday.
Police discovered that he was the member of a small Parisian drug network after tapping conversations between members of the drug ring. The four members of the ring all received sentences between six months and three years.
Police played a recording at the hearing, in which the pilot said he had not anticipated the after-effects of the drug to last so long. "I had the sweats, I really didn鈥檛 feel well. I did what I could to land the plane,鈥� the pilot said.
鈥淚 was confident the side effects would wear off after two hours,鈥� he added. He is now reportedly seeking treatment.
鈥淵ou were not in the physical state of a pilot who was clean of drugs,鈥� said the prosecutor.
Easyjet said in a statement to Agence France Presse: 鈥淗e has been removed from his position. The company has a zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs and alcohol. Pilots are subject to regular medical checks".
