A former captain with Alaska Airlines has been arrested on charges of piloting a plane while under the influence of alcohol.
David Hans Arntson, 60, was arrested Wednesday, and released on a $25,000 bond, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
He is accused in connection with flights he flew on June 20, 2014.
On that day, Arntson piloted a plane from San Diego International Airport to Portland, Oregon. He then piloted another from Portland to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California.
Arntson was selected for random drug and alcohol testing by Alaska Airlines in Orange County, prosecutors said.
“A technician for Alaska Airlines performed two tests on Arntson and received results that the pilot had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.134 percent and 0.142 percent. After the technician informed Alaska Airlines of the test results, it removed Arntson from all safety-sensitive duties,” the statement read.
Arntson reportedly retired from Alaska Airlines after the incident.
A call to his attorney Thursday night was not immediately returned.
“Those in command of passenger jets, or any other form of public transportation, have an obligation to serve the public in the safest and most responsible way possible,” said U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker.
“We cannot and will not tolerate those who violate the trust of their passengers by endangering lives.”