Jump directly to the content
Video
QUEASY JET

Shocking CCTV footage shows ‘drunk’ pilot stumbling through security before being fired when he ‘tried to fly a plane with 154 passengers on board’

Tekad Purnawas, a pilot for Indonesian budget airline Citilink, has been sacked following reports that he was possibly under the influence of alcohol while on duty

AN Indonesian pilot has been fired after he was suspected of trying to fly a plane while he was "drunk".

It comes as bizarre footage shows Tekad Purnawas, a pilot for Indonesian budget airline Citilink, stumbling through security at Surabaya airport on Wednesday.

 Footage shows the Indonesian pilot identified as Tekad Purna approaching security with his sunglasses on
5
Footage shows the Indonesian pilot identified as Tekad Purna approaching security with his sunglasses onCredit: Live Leak

In the clip, three security workers can be seen helping the captain pick up his belongings after he goes through the body scanner.

Apparently, the pilot somehow managed to make his way into the cockpit when he made an incoherent flight announcement as he was prepared to fly an Airbus A320 from Surabaya to the capital Jakarta.

One passenger posted a video online of the alleged slurred announcement showing people on board looking confused.

 After going through the body scanner, the stumbling pilot goes to collect his belongings
5
After going through the body scanner, the stumbling pilot goes to collect his belongingsCredit: Live Leak
 But as he picked up his bag, the contents inside drop to the floor
5
But as he picked up his bag, the contents inside drop to the floorCredit: Live Leak
 Three dismayed security workers help the pilot gather his belongings together
5
Three dismayed security workers help the pilot gather his belongings togetherCredit: Live Leak
 The pilot then walks free to board his plane
5
The pilot then walks free to board his planeCredit: Live Leak

Many passengers decided to leave the plane soon after as they were suspicious that the pilot was drunk, Jakarta Post reports.

The pilot was eventually replaced by another captain at the request of passengers who left the plane before take-off.

The one-hour-20-minute flight eventually departed an hour behind schedule with 154 passengers on board.

Citilink President Director Albert Burhan said in a statement yesterday:  "Citilink is very serious about handling this matter."

The airline, which is a subsidiary of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, confirmed the pilot appeared "physically unfit".

Earlier this year, two pilots were arrested at Glasgow Airport on ­suspicion of being too drunk to fly.

The pilots were nicked under section 93 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.

Jean-Francois Perreault, 39, and Imran Zafar Syed, 37, were charged under the same legislation after allegedly being under the influence of alcohol before they were due to fly from Glasgow to Canada.

The two men had been due to pilot an Air Transat jet with up to 250 people on board.


We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368


Topics