Cheektowaga, NY (WBEN) The NFTA says a pilot was grounded from a JetBlue flight leaving Buffalo Niagara International Airport Wednesday morning after being found to be under the influence of alcohol.
The NFTA says 52 year old James Clifton, a Jet Blue Pilot, was passing through security when a TSA officer noticed that he may have been impaired. NFTA Airport Police were contacted and the pilot was removed from the cockpit. He was given a portable breathalyzer test, and registered a .17 or twice the legal limit.
NFTA Airport Police took Clifton, who is from Orlando, Florida, into custody, and notified federal authorities and was released to Jet Blue security. He may face federal charges.
JetBlue spokesperson Derek Dombrowski said Clifton has been "removed from his duties," the company is cooperating with law enforcement and conducting an internal investigation.
"It just shows TSA officers and NFTA officers are watching and are very observant and trained for this type of thing," the NFTA's Helen Tederous told WBEN.
The flight was en route to Fort Lauderdale.
