American-Hating Frenchman Accused of Impersonating Pilot

[Simmons]

Philadelphia police arrest impostor pilot

Date March 24, 2013

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A Frenchman wearing a uniform and claiming to be an Air France pilot was arrested on board a plane in the US city of Philadelphia after being found sitting in the cockpit, police say.

Identified as Philippe Jeannard of La Rochelle, France, the man was a ticketed passenger for the US Airways flight to West Palm Beach, Florida, according to a police statement that spelt his name two different ways.

Mr Jeannard, in his 60s, was found sitting in the jump-seat behind the captain's chair and claimed to be a 747 pilot for Air France.

''When [Mr Jeannard] could not produce proper credentials, he was removed from the flight and the police were notified,'' the Philadelphia police said.

''When arrested, [he] was in possession of a counterfeit Air France crew member identification card,'' the statement read.

Mr Jeannard has been charged with criminal trespass, tampering with records, impersonating a privately employed person and presenting false identification to law enforcement. AFP