PHILADELPHIA, March 26 (UPI) -- A man who allegedly pretended to be an Air France pilot on a US Airways flight out of Philadelphia used his mother's old ID card, investigators say.
Philippe Jeannard, 60, allegedly placed his own name and photo on the card, which his mother had used when she was an Air France employee, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Monday. He faces federal identity charges as well as a list of local charges, including presenting false identification to law enforcement.
Jeannard's motive for the alleged impersonation is unclear. He allegedly tried to get an upgrade to first or business class on the flight to West Palm Beach and then was told he could speak to the pilots as a courtesy because he was an employee of another airline, the newspaper said.
In a document filed Monday in federal court, investigators say Jeannard told the pilots he flew an Air France 747. He was told to leave the plane when he started abusing a flight attendant.
A manager called police after Jeannard denied being an Air France pilot in response to a question.
