A British Airways cabin crew member, Haden Pentecost, 41, from Basingstoke, was discovered naked and under the influence of drugs during a flight from California to London.
Pentecost, who failed to participate in pre-flight safety checks, reportedly appeared agitated, sweating, and incoherent. He first complained of stomach cramps before locking himself inside the aircraft toilet.
Crew members were shocked when he emerged completely naked, apparently unaware that he had removed his clothes. A female colleague assisted him in getting dressed and relocated him to an empty seat.
The captain was alerted, and a health professional on board was asked to monitor him. Court proceedings revealed that Pentecost had dilated pupils, a rapid heartbeat, and required checks every 20 minutes until the aircraft landed at Heathrow. Paramedics later confirmed he had methamphetamine and amphetamine in his system.
At Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Friday, August 22, Pentecost pleaded guilty to performing aviation duties while impaired by drugs. He has since been dismissed by British Airways and released on bail pending sentencing at Isleworth Crown Court.
This incident comes just weeks after a British Airways pilot was suspended for allegedly leaving the cockpit door open during a Heathrow–New York flight so his family onboard could watch him operate the controls. The Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation into that security breach, which forced the cancellation of the return flight to London on August 8.
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