This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A Utah pilot was arrested in Rapid City, S.D., Wednesday after he allegedly was caught trying to fly while intoxicated.
In a statement, the Rapid City Police Department said it was tipped about 8 a.m. by Transportation Security Administration officers that the SkyWest Airlines pilot, identified as 38-year-old Russell Duszak of Salt Lake City, "smelled of alcohol.
"After investigating these claims, the RCPD determined the pilot was in violation of [statute] which prohibits the operation of an aircraft with a blood alcohol [level] above .04," the statement read.
Police did not say exactly what Duszak's alcohol level was, but confirmed that he was not allowed to make the Delta Connection flight to Salt Lake City and was arrested and booked into Pennington County Jail for operating an aircraft under the influence of alcohol.
SkyWest officials released a statement saying, "SkyWest holds its employees to the highest standards of professionalism and the safety and security of our customers and people are our top priority.
"We apologize to our passengers for the delay of SkyWest flight 4574, operating as Delta Connection from Rapid City to Salt Lake City, due to a crewmember issue.
"The crewmember has been placed on administrative leave and removed from flying duties as we investigate this situation. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement's investigation into this matter."
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