The pilot was due to fly from Newquay Airport in Cornwall to London Gatwick
A Flybe pilot was taken off a passenger plane and arrested on suspicion of being drunk minutes before he was due to take off.
The pilot was due to fly from Newquay Airport in Cornwall to London Gatwick yesterday morning.
But after concerns were raised by a fellow crew member, police officers were called and he was removed for a breath test.
Passengers were delayed by five hours and one male passenger missed a connection for a flight to Mexico because of the hold up.
One passenger said: "We all got on the plane and then there was an announcement. We were told the pilot was unwell."
Police later said a 48-year-old man, from Copplestone, near Crediton, Devon, was arrested and taken to Newquay police station.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "A 48 year old man from Crediton, Devon, was arrested on suspicion of being over the drink fly limit."
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "He was arrested on suspicion of being over the prescribed limit for carrying out duties to prepare to fly."
A Flybe statement added: "Flybe can confirm that one of its pilots volunteered to help police with their inquiries at Newquay Airport.
"Flybe is not able to comment further while the police investigation is taking place."
Pilots drink drive or fly limit is a quarter of that for motorists.
A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman said: "For pilots the blood/alcohol level is 20 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. For context, the UK drink drive limit is 80mg per 100 millilitres."
