Camilla Jessen
A pilot was removed from the cockpit moments before departure in Stockholm.
A routine pre-flight check at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport on Tuesday morning took an unexpected turn when Swedish police boarded an aircraft and detained one of the pilots.
According to police spokesperson Nadya Norton, the pilot was subjected to a sobriety test and tested positive for alcohol.
She was immediately removed from the aircraft and taken in for questioning.
“The person is now under arrest on suspicion of drunkenness,” Norton confirmed to local media Aftonbladet.
American Pilot Suspected
While authorities have declined to release specific details about the suspect’s identity, sources have confirmed to Aftonbladet that the individual is a female pilot from the United States.
It remains unclear where the flight was headed or how close it was to departure at the time of the incident.
The airport operator, Swedavia, has referred all questions to the police.
Under Swedish law, operating an aircraft while under the influence is considered a serious criminal offense, potentially punishable by imprisonment and permanent loss of a pilot’s license.
The case is now being handled by Swedish authorities.
It is not yet known whether the pilot will face charges locally or if there will be cooperation with U.S. aviation authorities.
