Federal authorities are investigating an allegation that a pilot was drunk and prevented from boarding a Thursday morning flight out of Omaha's Eppley Airfield.
Lindsey Purves Carpenter, a Frontier Airlines spokeswoman, said in an email that flight 1894 to Milwaukee was delayed over concern about the condition of a crew member who had not reported for the flight.
"We are investigating allegations of impairment made against a crew member, but, because this is a personnel issue, we can't and won't comment on specifics other than to say that because of concern for the condition of the crew member, that crew member was replaced," she said.
Flight 1894 was operated by Chautauqua Airlines. Chautauqua operates the Omaha to Milwaukee service.
Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory told the Associated Press that Frontier Airlines reported Thursday morning's incident to the FAA, as required. She said authorities were looking into the incident.
Flight 1894 to Milwaukee was scheduled to leave Eppley at 6 a.m. but was delayed for nearly two hours, according to the airline. The flight carried 29 passengers and three crew members, including two pilots.
The passengers waited in an Eppley terminal during the delay.
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