Airlines Pilot Pulled from Cockpit in Shocking Pre-Flight Arrest

A Southwest Airlines pilot was yanked from the cockpit and arrested moments before takeoff — after failing multiple field sobriety tests in full view of police body cameras.

The disturbing incident unfolded on April 18 at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia, where 52-year-old captain David Allsop was preparing to fly a scheduled passenger route to Chicago. Authorities say a tipster warned airport police that the veteran pilot smelled strongly of alcohol.

Newly released body cam footage shows officers boarding the jet bridge to confront Allsop. Passengers were already boarding when police asked him to step outside the aircraft.

“I had a few beers last night, but that was 10 hours ago,” Allsop insists in the video, stressing that Federal Aviation Administration rules only require an eight-hour gap between drinking and flying. The FAA’s “bottle-to-throttle” policy is a longstanding safety regulation designed to prevent any impairment in flight crews.

According to one officer in the video, the odor of alcohol coming from Allsop was “undeniable.” The pilot pushed back, claiming the smell was from nicotine gum.

When asked to perform field sobriety tests, Allsop initially resisted. “I’m not doing this,” he can be heard saying, but later relented. Police say he failed two out of three tests.

He then refused a breathalyzer, which under Georgia law can carry automatic consequences. Within minutes, he was handcuffed and placed in the back of a patrol car.

The FAA has since revoked Allsop’s license. Criminal charges are still pending.

A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines told reporters the company is “fully cooperating with federal and local authorities” and emphasized that Allsop “was immediately removed from duty and will not operate any Southwest aircraft while this matter is under investigation.”

Retired airline captain Mark Hansen told us the case highlights the “critical need for random pre-flight alcohol screenings.” He added, “Even if a pilot hasn’t had a drink in hours, residual effects can still impair judgment, and that’s a risk we cannot afford at 35,000 feet.”

FAA safety consultant Ellen McGrath called the situation “a wake-up call” for both the industry and regulators. “Passengers trust that their crew is completely fit to fly. Any breach of that trust is serious,” she said.

Southwest passengers scheduled on Allsop’s original flight were accommodated on a later departure.

The Savannah Police Department declined further comment due to the ongoing investigation. Allsop could not be reached for a statement.