United Airlines pilot dumped live ammo during flight
Transportation Security Administration officials and United airlines are investigating a pilot who tossed bullets in an onboard trash bin which passengers had access to.
The bullets were then found by a flight attendant who then alerted the captain. The pilot then flushed the bullets down the toilet as the flight was traveling to Germany which has strict anti-gun laws.
United spokeswoman Karen May explained the pilot is permitted to carry a gun on domestic flights under a federal rule brought in after 9/11 to safeguard the cockpit from hijackers.
The pilot did not carry his gun on Houston-Munich flight, May said, but he realised during the journey there was ammunition still in his bag.
When the pilot realized the flight attendant was going to report the incident of the discarded bullets in the trash bin, he informed the German authorities before landing.
"He did incorrectly dispose of the ammunition but it is likely that the pilot is not going to face any criminal charges," May said.
The pilot has not been fired and the airline did not disclose if he had been grounded while the investigation takes place.
"I can’t give any details about his status other than he is still with us."
On arrival the plane was taken to a secure area on the tarmac while waste tanks were emptied to recover the 10 bullets.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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