Christopher Hall, 57, arrested after allegedly flying plane while drunk and crashing it with 10-year-old son on board in Melbourne, Florida

Modified Date: 
Fri, 05/29/2015 - 2:21pm
Accident Date: 
Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Pilot accused of being intoxicated before crashing plane

A Florida pilot has been arrested for allegedly being intoxicated behind the controls of a plane.

Police: Small plane pilot had cognac, wine on board with 10-year-old son

Melbourne International Airport spokeswoman Lori Booker said in a statement that airport officials are proud of the employees, "especially the experienced and alert [air traffic control] professionals who denied runway access to the aircraft."

Satellite Beach pilot charged in Melbourne airport incident

Christopher John Hall, an engineer from Satellite Beach, was charged with reckless operation of a vessel and child abuse without harm after airport police found him and his preteen son onboard the aircraft, reports show. He is being held at the Brevard County Jail Complex on a $4,000 bond and could go before a Brevard County judge later today for a first appearance.
Christopher Hall was taxiing on a runway at the Melbourne International Airport when air traffic control officials noticed that he was slurring his words over the radio and that his flight plan to Dayton, Ohio was expired. Police say that they asked him to return to the hangar, but he refused. He kept going and hit an antenna near the runway. Police say that they smelled alcohol on his breath, but Hall would not consent to a Breathalyzer test or any roadside sobriety exercises. His son told officers to look in his father's computer bag, where they found a half-empty 375 milliliter bottle of cognac, an open plastic bottle that smelled like liquor, and a sealed bottle of wine. Hall was charged with reckless operation of a vessel and child abuse without great harm.
People Involved: 
Christopher Hall

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