25 Mar 2013

Frenchman found in cockpit arrested

10:15 am on 25 March 2013

A Frenchman found in the cockpit of a plane due to take off in the United States has been charged with impersonating a pilot.

Philippe Jernnard, 61, of La Rochelle, was wearing a shirt with an Air France logo and a blazer with epaulettes, the BBC reports.

Police say he was discovered in the jump seat behind the pilot on a US Airways plane bound for Philadelphia on Wednesday.

The FBI is investigating the incident and police say Mr Jernnard may charges of criminal trespassing, tampering with records, impersonating a person privately employed, and providing false identification to law enforcement.

When found in the cockpit, Mr Jernnard identified himself as a 747 pilot for Air France, authorities said.

He had a ticket for a flight to Florida, but could not provide proof of his credentials and was also reportedly carrying a fake Air France crew identification card.

He is being held on $US1 million bail, according to US media.