Pilot pleads guilty after passing out in cockpit

Pilot pleads guilty after passing out in cockpit

By Vijay Narayan
22/03/2017
Miroslav Gronych pleads guilty to a charge of being impaired while in control of an aircraft

A pilot who passed out in the cockpit before a flight in Canada has pleaded guilty to a charge of being impaired while in control of an aircraft.

Sunwing AirlinePilot, 37-year-old Miroslav Gronych told a court that he can't even describe how ashamed he is.

The pilot was due to fly the plane to Mexico on New Year's Eve.

He was found slumped in his seat and was escorted off the aircraft.

Police said the Slovakian pilot's wings were attached upside down on his uniform and an empty bottle of vodka was found in his hotel room.

He had more than three times the legal limit of alcohol in his body.

There were more than 100 people on board the plane.

The prosecution has asked for a one‑year jail sentence.

The court was told that when the pilot boarded the plane, he struggled to hang up his coat and was slurring his words.

The co‑pilot then suggested that he leave the plane, but he sat in the pilot's chair and appeared to pass out "resting his face on the window".

He was an hour late for check‑in, which he said was because he got lost going through security.

Source : BBC

FEATURE NEWS
High Court grants Restraining Order for $8.8M worth of properties connected to Justin Ho who is charged in 4.1 tonne meth case
The Suva High Court has granted a Restraining Order application concerning two properties that are linked to the 4.1-tonne methamphetamine case. Th...
12 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
FCCC urges public to report unfair prices ahead of budget announcement
With the 2025-2026 National Budget announcement on the 27th of this month, the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission is strongly encouraging ...
12 hours ago

New rehab clinic to benefit 5,900 monthly patients at Twomey SOPD in Tamavua
5,900 patients seen every month at the Twomey Special Outpatient Department Rehab Clinic in Tamavua can expect improved delivery of health services, ...
12 hours ago

Heart bypass surgery saves lives at PSH Hospitals
In 2022, Sanjay Chand, a 49-year-old property manager from Nadi, suffered a minor heart attack. It was a frightening and unexpected moment for him ...
13 hours ago

15 community-based organisations receive Multi-Ethnic Grants in the Western Division
As part of the ongoing effort to strengthen grassroots development and promote inclusivity, Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, ...
13 hours ago

Rups building sustains 95% damages, warehouse insured – NFA
Rups Big Bear’s Raiwaqa warehouse has sustained 95 percent damage and although the estimated cost is yet to be determined, the warehouse was ...
13 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s coach Osea Kolinisau on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Osea Kolinisau on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
3 days ago

Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Vimlesh Sagar’s abuse of office case
Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss while Vimlesh Sagar is charged with one ...
3 days ago

Electoral law reform consultations
SoE seeks removal of excessive powers as review of electoral laws ...
4 days ago

TOP