Fake Pilot Talked His Way Into Plane Cockpit
A fake pilot bluffed his way into the cockpit at the Philadelphia airport. Phillipe Jernnard, a man described as an anti-American French national, successfully impersonated an airplane pilot. The massive breach of Philadelphia airport security remains under investigation.
Phillipe Jernnard reportedly entered the US Airways cockpit dressed like an Air France pilot. The Philadelphia plane was preparing to depart for Florida on Wednesday night.
The fake pilot sat down in the US Airways cockpit and was ultimately discovered by the real pilot and a flight attendant. Phillipe Jernnard was sitting in the jump seat when the crew realized he was a fake. The jump seat is located directly behind the flight captain’s seat.
Philadelphia Police Department Lt. John Walker said the fake pilot inside the cockpit was wearing an Air France logo on a button-down white shirt. Although the imposter’s uniform looked correct, the real pilot and flight crew became suspicious when Jernnard could not produce proper credentials.
A flight attendant and the US Airways co-pilot asked the French national to return to the cabin area. Philadelphia police officers were then called to the plane and arrested the fake pilot. There were reportedly Air France decals and some “shoddy” identification materials in the man’s luggage.
Both the US Attorney’s Office and the FBI are looking into the fake pilot incident at the Philadelphia airport. The flight was reportedly never in danger. Law enforcement officers are currently looking into Phillipe Jernnard’s motive for posing as a pilot.
The French national reportedly said, “I hate Americans,” after being an upgrade to business class. Charges already levied against Jernnard include false impression, forgery, criminal trespass, and making false identification.
The Philadelphia airport imposter is scheduled to appear in court on April 5. If the FBI opts to press charges as well, he will have a date in federal court in the near future.
What do you think about the fake pilot sitting in the cockpit at the Philadelphia airport?
[Image Via: Shutterstock.com]
