Police charge impaired pilot - UPDATE

The name of the impaired pilot charged earlier today by police can now be released.

Miroslav GRONYCH, 37, of Slovakia has been charged. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017.

The original release is included below.

Police charge impaired pilot

The Calgary Police Service has charged a pilot that was found to be impaired prior to an aircraft departure.

Shortly before 7 a.m., on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, a male pilot for Sunwing Airlines boarded an aircraft with flight legs scheduled to Regina and Winnipeg, with a final destination of Cancun, Mexico. The 737 800 Series aircraft had 99 passengers aboard with six flight crew, including the pilot.

Prior to departure, gate crew and crew aboard the flight noticed that the pilot was behaving oddly before he became unconscious in the cockpit. The pilot was escorted from the aircraft at which point he was taken into custody by Calgary police.

Initial tests conducted by police indicate the pilot was severely impaired by alcohol.

The pilot has been charged with the following:

• Having care and control of an aircraft while impaired
• Having care and control of an aircraft over .08 (or exceeding 80 mgs of alcohol per 100mL of blood)