Flier’s drinks session

A PILOT has been jailed for trying to fly from Britain to Japan while more than nine times the booze limit.

First Officer Katsutoshi Jitsukawa,

42, was drinking until shortly before he was due to leave Heathrow in October.

A crew bus driver smelt alcohol on him

50 minutes before scheduled take-off and police were called.

The “experienced” Japan Airlines pilot had 189mg alcohol per 100ml of blood, almost 10 times the 20mg limit for a pilot.

Jitsukawa pleaded guilty to exceeding the alcohol limit. A judge at Isleworth Crown Court jailed him for 10 months.

Judge Phillip Matthews said: “You had clearly been drinking for a long period up

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to a time shortly before you were due to go into that plane.

“The safety of all persons on board that very long-haul flight was put at risk by your inebriation and drunkenness.

“The prospect of you taking over control of that aircraft is too appalling to contemplate. The potential consequences for those on board was catastrophic.”

The Boeing 777, which seats up to 244, took off 69 minutes late with two pilots instead of three.

Apologising, a spokesman for Japan Airlines said: “The company does not condone the individual’s actions, as safety remains our utmost priority.”