US flight canceled after pilot's foul language

[Ben Longden]

ABC News.

 

An American airliner canceled a flight set to leave from Las Vegas to Detroit after the captain swore on a mobile phone in a bathroom, then at one of the passengers on the plane.

 

A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, Ian Gregor, said the incident happened on a Northwest Airlines Flight on Friday.

 

"He used what was described to me as rude language," Mr Gregor said.

 

"At some point during the boarding process, he left the cockpit, went into the front lavatory, locked the door and continued his conversation.

 

"Passengers who were boarding the aircraft could hear his end of the conversation through the lavatory door."

 

When the captain emerged from the bathroom, one of the 180 passengers confronted him about his behavior, reportedly prompting more swearing from the pilot.

 

Local police questioned the captain, whose name was not released, and determined there was no cause to conduct a sobriety test.

 

But Northwest canceled the flight and flew the pilot back to his base in Detroit.

 

The airline said it expected to get the last of the delayed passengers to their destinations by Sunday.

 

"Northwest is conducting a review of the matter and has apologised to its customers for the inconvenience," the company said in a statement.

 

"Northwest has provided impacted customers with meals and hotels. In recognition of the inconvenience, they will receive compensation from Northwest Airlines."

 

- Reuters