TAMPA, Fla., June 6 (UPI) -- Federal investigators say a cargo plane pilot who lost contact with air traffic controllers at the airport in Tampa, Fla., was drunk during the flight.
The Flight Express cargo plane was heading to Tampa International Airport from Greensboro, N.C., Dec. 8 when it lost contact with air traffic controllers in Tampa for an hour before landing at the airport, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
Pilot Phillip Yves Lavoie, 28, was given a Breathalyzer test after talking with federal investigators and his blood alcohol registered 0.27 percent, federal court records filed Wednesday stated.
Lavoie was charged Tuesday with operating a common carrier under the influence of alcohol, punishable by as much as 15 years in prison.
Lavoie's attorney, Summer Goldman, said his client consumed alcohol before the flight, which originated at the Tampa airport, started.
"He truly has an alcohol problem, had one, and he's taking the steps to correct that," Goldman said, adding that his client has entered a residential treatment program.
Lavoie is expected to plead guilty during a court appearance scheduled for June 13, the newspaper said.
