 |
| Brian Andrew Machtemes arrest photo |
Brian Andrew Machtemes a 54-year-old pilot for Sun Country Airlines has been arrested at Southwest Florida International Airport, Fort Myers, Florida on Friday night for carrying a loaded gun in his flight bag.
The local police reported that the pilot was arrested after a Transportation Security Administration agent found the gun in a front pocket of his flight bag. The officer found a KEL-TEC .380 pistol in a material zip up pouch on the front of the bag. Local media reports that the gun was loaded with six rounds.
The arrest report indicates that states that Brian Andrew Machtemes has a licence or permit to carry a weapon in Minnesota, but such a permit is not valid in Florida. TSA regulations state that while passengers are allowed to carry guns on US flights, they must be placed unloaded in locked boxes in checked luggage only, it is believed the same regulations apply to pilots and aircrew. It is also reported that Machtemes declined to answer any questions.
The flight had to be rescheduled for Saturday because Sun County didn't have any standby crews at the Southwest Florida Airport that could have completed the flight.
Sun Country Airlines that is transitioning its self away from being a well respected full-service hometown airline of Minnesota to a low rate ultra-low-cost-carrier confirmed that one of its pilots had been arrested, saying "We’re aware of the situation involving one of our pilots at the Fort Myers Airport and are in contact with local law enforcement. We are in the process of gathering information on what occurred.". Passengers were put up in hotels and given meal and drinks vouchers.
