SkyWest pilot suspected drunk, arrested in South Dakota

Police arrested the pilot of a SkyWest Airlines plane on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol Wednesday before the passenger jet could leave a South Dakota airport. Rapid City police were notified shortly after 8 am Wednesday that the pilot smelled of alcohol. Police said they determined the pilot from Salt Lake City was in violation of a South Dakota law prohibiting the operation of an aircraft with a blood-alcohol content above 0.04%. The pilot was arrested in the 50-seat plane at Rapid City Regional Airport, a SkyWest spokesman. No passengers were yet on board. SkyWest was operating the flight as a Delta Connection from Rapid City to Salt Lake City. SkyWest said the pilot has been placed on administrative leave and removed from flying duties during an investigation. <br/>