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SkyWest pilot arrested for intoxication at South Dakota airport, police say

By Doug G. Ware

RAPID CITY, S.D., Oct. 26 (UPI) -- A pilot scheduled to fly for Delta Air Lines was arrested Wednesday on suspicion he was intoxicated before attempting to navigate a flight out of South Dakota, authorities said.

The pilot is an employee of SkyWest, but was scheduled to fly a Delta Connection flight Wednesday morning from Rapid City, S.D., to Salt Lake City.

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The flight, SkyWest 4574, was delayed for about two hours when the pilot was arrested, but ultimately got off the ground and headed to Utah.

The 38-year-old pilot, a resident of Salt Lake City, was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, SkyWest said.

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Authorities said the pilot's blood-alcohol level exceeded 0.04, according to the Argus Leader.

"SkyWest holds its employees to the highest standards of professionalism and the safety and security of our customers and people are our top priority," SkyWest said in a statement. " We apologize to our passengers."

The airline often serves as a regional feeder for larger carriers in cities like Salt Lake City, Atlanta and Los Angeles. As such, its pilots are usually younger and more inexperienced than their major carrier counterparts.

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"The system worked the way it is designed to ensure passengers safety was not compromised," Rapid City Police Chief Karl Jegeris said Wednesday.

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