Slovak pilot charged after attempting to fly 737-800 while drunk

A Slovak pilot employed by the low-cost Canadian airline Sunwing has been released on a $1,000 bail after attempting to fly a plane while intoxicated on New Year's Eve. This was announced by the newspaper the Calgary Herald. The pilot, identified as Miroslav G. (37), was removed from the cockpit during pre-flight checks when fellow air crew noticed his lack of coordination and his co-pilot witnessed him pass out at the aircraft's controls before taxiing. He was subsequently arrested by police. "Although this kind of incident has occurred a few times over the years, this is the worst I have heard of," said Edward McKeogh from Canadian Aviation Safety Consultants to CBC News. The aircraft was scheduled to land in Regina and Winnipeg (both in Canada) before continuing to Cancun (Mexico). The Boeing 737-800 aircraft had 99 passengers and six crew members on board. According to Canadian officials, even two hours after his arrest the pilot had over three times more alcohol than permitted by law. Miroslav G., who is in Canada on a work visa, was released on the day of his arrest with police confiscating his passport. He will stand before the court on Thursday morning.