Crime & Safety

DUI in the Sky

Man arrested after flying drunk Tuesday; manages to land at Petaluma Municipal Airport after flying just 50 feet above traffic

A Penngrove pilot was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of flying while intoxicated after CHP officers spotted him flying dangerously close to highway traffic.

California Highway Patrol spotted the plane flying recklessly near Highway 37, hovering just 50 to 100 feet from cars, a violation of federal aviation regulations.

Officers contacted the 62-year-old pilot when he landed at Petaluma Municipal Airport and smelled alcohol on the man's breath, CHP officials said.

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The pilot was identified as Michael Ferrero, a resident of Penngrove. His blood alcohol level registered at .09, twice the legal limit for pilots, under Federal Aviation Administration guidelines. The FAA is conducting an investigation of the incident. Ferrero's pilot license can be suspended or even entirely revoked, according to a spokesman for CHP's Air Operations.


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