TSA agent catches allegedly impaired JetBlue pilot minutes before takeoff at Buffalo airport

A JetBlue pilot was removed from the cockpit of a plane in Buffalo, New York just minutes before takeoff because a TSA agent noticed that he appeared to be impaired as he went through security.

News 12 Staff

Mar 3, 2022, 11:24 AM

Updated 1,029 days ago

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A JetBlue pilot was removed from the cockpit of a plane in Buffalo, New York just minutes before takeoff because a TSA agent noticed that he appeared to be impaired as he went through security.
Authorities removed the pilot from the cockpit of a plane Wednesday because he was allegedly under the influence. The incident happened at Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
An official said the pilot was going through security when a TSA agent noticed that he appeared to be impaired. Authorities identified the pilot as 52-year-old James Clifton.
JetBlue said in a statement that the crew member involved was removed from his duties. He could face federal charges.
According to data from FlightAware, the flight was delayed for more than four hours.