
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 13, 1990                   TAG: 9003133175
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

FLIGHT INSPECTORS TO BE TRAINED TO SPOT DRINKERS

The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it would upgrade the training of its inspectors to prevent crews from flying airliners under heavy alcohol influence.

An inexperienced FAA inspector in Fargo, N.D., allowed a Northwest Airlines jet to take off last Thursday despite a tip that the crew had been drinking for more than six hours.

FAA Administrator James Busey told the chairman of the House aviation subcommittee Monday "he was going to get their [inspectors] training upgraded to deal with situations like that," said FAA spokeswoman JoAnn Sloane.

"The system could fail again the same way," Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., said at a news conference after meeting with Busey. "The FAA is going to act on this quickly or we're going to burn their behind."

The three crew members on the flight from Fargo to Minneapolis were arrested upon landing last Thursday when blood tests showed excessive alcohol levels. The FAA revoked their licenses.

The Minneapolis city attorney's office said charges might be brought this week under state law. Flying while intoxicated is a misdemeanor, carrying up to 90 days in jail and a $700 fine.

Airport police identified the crew members as Capt. Norman Prouse, 51, of Conyers, Ga.; first officer Robert J. Kirchner, 35, of Highland Ranch, Colo.; and second officer Joseph W. Balzer, 34, of Antioch, Tenn.

by CNB