Police Remove Pilot for Alleged Intoxication

Recently released bodycam footage highlights a dramatic incident from January, where police reportedly removed a Southwest Airlines pilot from the cockpit due to suspected intoxication.

Captain David Allsap arrived at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia before 6 a.m. However, TSA agents noted that he emitted the smell of alcohol. Reports indicate that he boarded the aircraft and began a pre-flight check before officers intervened and escorted him away.

In the footage, an officer questions him, asking, “When was the last thing you had to drink?” Allsap responds, indicating it was “last night,” but it seems he’s implying it was “at least” ten hours prior. He allegedly acknowledged having consumed some beer the evening before.

The officer then asks, “Are you willing to offer me local drinking now?” to which Allsap replies, “No, there’s no need,” regarding the breathalyzer test. The officer insists he can smell alcohol, but Allsap suggests that the odor might be from nicotine gum. He eventually consented to the test but reportedly failed two out of three attempts. He seems to have declined a blood test.

“If I give you blood, nothing will change,” he remarked.

According to WJCL News, Southwest personnel had asked law enforcement to postpone Allsap’s arrest, stating, “We bring in our own drug and alcohol teams, so we were told that if that makes sense, then we’re supposed to take control.” However, another officer responded, “No, I can’t. I have to work first in Georgia.” WJCL attempted to reach the airline for further information but received no details due to legal or personnel issues.

The Federal Aviation Administration suspended Allsap’s license in July, and criminal charges against him are still pending.

A Southwest spokesperson released a statement at the time, acknowledging awareness of the incident involving Flight 3,772 from Savannah on Wednesday morning and confirming that Allsap had been “excluded from mission.”