Alcohol Test Fails, Airline Pilot Cancels Airplane

JAKARTA - A JetBlue airline pilot was 'dismissed from his duty' at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, New York on the morning of March 2, because he did not meet the specified conditions.

In a press release issued by the airport and a statement from the airline JetBlue, the pilot's blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit.

Pilot James Clifton, 52, was passing through security when a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent realized he might be having trouble, the press release said.

Niagara Border Transport Authority police responded and the pilot was given a breathalyzer test. After he recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.17, Clifton was detained and released to JetBlue security, the airport said.

The blood alcohol limit for pilots is 0.04, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which means the pilot's blood alcohol level is actually more than four times the legal limit under FAA regulations.

Clifton admitted to drinking 5-6 times of alcoholic beverages at dinner the night before the flight.

"5-6 [drinks] the night before at dinner," according to a police report obtained by CNN, as quoted March 27.

JetBlue said in a statement it has a strict internal zero-tolerance alcohol policy. The company also said it was cooperating with the authorities, conducting their own internal investigation into the matter.

"We are aware of the incident that occurred this morning in Buffalo and are cooperating fully with law enforcement," JetBlue said in a statement.

"The crew member involved has been dismissed from his duties," the airline said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the United Airline Pilots Association did not discuss the specific incident when contacted by CNN for comment, but said in a statement the airline pilot profession in North America is one of the most researched careers.

"The professionalism of airline pilots has contributed to making air transport the safest form of transport for passengers and air cargo shippers."

Clifton is from Orlando, Florida. The plane scheduled to fly was en route to Fort Lauderdale, Buffalo Niagara International Airport wrote in a press release.