NY - Pilot Arrested on Alcohol Suspicion

NEW YORK  - A pilot was removed from an American Eagle flight Friday morning and taken into custody at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol.

American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller said the pilot was on American Eagle Flight 4590 from Minneapolis-St. Paul to New York LaGuardia.

Airport spokesman Pat Hogan confirms MSP Airport police took the pilot into custody at 7:19 a.m. ET.

The pilot failed a breathalyzer at the scene, but was taken to Fairview Southdale hospital to test for blood alcohol content.

"American Eagle has a well-established substance abuse policy that is designed to put the safety of our customers and employees first," the airline said in a statement. "We are cooperating with authorities and conducting a full internal investigation.

The pilot will be withheld from service pending the outcome of the investigation."

The plane was delayed for about three hours before leaving for New York at about 8:50 a.m. It was estimated to arrive shortly after noon.