Frenchman Posing As Pilot Found In US Jet Cockpit

A Frenchman has been charged with impersonating a pilot after he was found in the cockpit of a plane due to take off in Philadelphia, police say.

Philippe Jernnard, from La Rochelle, France, was wearing a shirt with an Air France logo and a blazer with epaulets.

He was discovered in the jump seat behind the pilot on a US Airways plane on Wednesday evening, an officer said.

The FBI is investigating the incident and police said they expect federal charges may be filed.

Mr Jernnard, 61, faces state charges including criminal trespassing, tampering with records, impersonating a person privately employed, and providing false identification to law enforcement, Philadelphia police said.

When he was found in the cockpit, Mr Jernnard identified himself as a 747 pilot for Air France, authorities said.

The suspect, who had a ticket for the US Airways flight to Florida, could not provide proof of his credentials.

He was also reportedly carrying a fake Air France crew identification card.

Officer Christine O'Brien says Mr Jernnard became argumentative and was escorted from the plane.

He is being held on $1m bail.

Posted in: US