Pilot Kicked Off Omaha Plane Will Not Face Federal Charges 'I Have An Ax,' Pilot Allegedly Says Posted: 12:37 p.m. EST March 5, 2003 Updated: 5:40 p.m. EST March 5, 2003 OMAHA -- The American Airlines pilot arrested and detained at Omaha's Eppley Airfield on Wednesday will not face federal charges, the FBI told an Omaha television station. Police boarded the pilot's plane to take him into custody after a security officer reported the pilot saying, "I have an ax in the cockpit and could chop your head off," said city prosecutor Marty Conboy. Conboy said he was not aware of the pilot displaying an actual weapon. The pilot was arrested and taken into custody around 8 a.m. He was scheduled to fly passengers from Omaha to St. Louis aboard an 8:15 a.m. American Airlines flight. The flight took off with another pilot who had been on layover after a 90-minute delay; 112 passengers were on board. One of the passengers, Scott Terry, said airline officials made an announcement that the flight would possibly be canceled. At the end of their shift, airport security personnel met about the incident. The threat, Omaha's KETV-TV reports, was directed at a particular security officer. "There was never any suggestion the public, passengers or planes were in any danger or threatened," Conboy said. Conboy said he was still looking into the tone and context of the comment to decide whether he will press charges against the pilot. "You'd think a pilot would certainly realize the people working at those security points are on their side -- watching their back," Conboy said. Conboy said he would decide within the next 30 days whether the pilot will face charges. If convicted of disorderly conduct, the pilot could face six months in jail and a $500 fine. After questioning, the pilot was released. BAHA ACUNER - CFI,CFII,MEI www.bahadiracuner.com www.acuwings.com