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Swedish court won't convict drunk pilot

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- A court in Sweden has failed to convict a Scandinavian Airlines pilot of flying under the influence for failing a breathalyzer test in May.

Tommy Larsson of the Swedish Airline Pilots Association said his organization is happy with the outcome, the Swedish news agency TT reported Tuesday.

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"This is the first case of flying under the influence tried in a court and it is new legislation that is being tested," Larsson said.

The court said it found in favor of the pilot because the prosecution failed to prove the criminal charge.

The pilot would have been convicted if there was evidence he had started security checks in preparation for takeoff, the court said.

After testing positive for alcohol, the pilot was not allowed to fly and has since lost his flight certificate.

New rules that went into effect in September 2010 allow police in Sweden to make sure airline crews are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs before flying.

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