British Airways pilot’s cocaine-fueled wild night out in Johannesburg has sent shockwaves through the airline industry.
The scandal unfolded as Beaton, scheduled to co-pilot a flight to London the next morning, engaged in a night of debauchery that would lead to unexpected consequences.
A Night of Excess and Revelations
On a Monday night in August, a plane full of passengers travelling from Johannesburg to London faced an unexpected 24-hour delay due to an airline staffing emergency. Little did they know that this emergency was the result of a pilot’s extravagant night on the town
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Pilot’s Cocaine-Fueled Party in Joburg Leads to Flight Delay and Career Fallout
The sordid details of Beaton’s evening, which he documented in text messages to a stewardess friend were revealed. His descriptions left no doubt that he was in no condition to fulfil his duties as the first officer on the upcoming flight.
Pilot’s Cocaine-Fueled Wild Night Out in Joburg Leaves Passengers (Image Credit: The Australian)According to News24, Beaton’s night began at a local bar before progressing to the Grillhouse and Tiger’s Milk restaurant. Along the way, he encountered a “young Spanish bird” and a “Welsh chick,” joining forces with “two local lads.”
The text messages detailed Beaton’s drug use, including a bizarre incident where he snorted cocaine from one of the women’s breasts. This reportedly happened after debating which woman’s breast would be best for the task. As the night spiralled further out of control, he returned the women to their hotel, where he engaged in a drug-fueled marathon s_ex session.
Even after his friend expressed discomfort at the cocaine use, Beaton continued to boast about his exploits.
Consequences and Aviation Authority Response
The fallout from Beaton’s actions was swift and severe. The flight was cancelled after his colleague reported him, and Beaton was flown home as a passenger. He underwent a drug test and was subsequently terminated from his position with British Airways.
Responding to inquiries, British Airways stressed that there had been no risk to passengers and emphasized their commitment to safety. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed that Beaton’s medical certification had been revoked.
