Former Ramsey Pilot Accused Of Flying JetBlue Plane Drunk: Reports

RAMSEY, N.J. — A former JetBlue pilot from Bergen County twice flew while he was drunk, authorities said.

Dennis Murphy, of Ramsey had a blood alcohol content of .11 when he was randomly tested after a flight to John F. Kennedy International Airport from Orlando on April 21, 2015, The New York Daily News reported. The plane had 151 passengers on it.

Murphy and a co-pilot also flew a plane from JFK to Orlando with 119 passengers on board.

Murphy blamed the gum he was chewing for the high BAC test. The co-pilot told investigators he saw Murphy, “drinking an unknown beverage from a cup before and during” the flights, the report said.

Murphy quit working for JetBlue before a scheduled disciplinary hearing was to be held in May, the report said.

Murphy was released on $50,000 bond, The New York Post reported. He faces up to 15 years in prison, ABC News reported.

The FAA prohibits pilot from flying if their BAC is .04 or greater, but they can't be criminally charged unless the reading is .10 or greater.

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