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Aeroflot grounds Moscow flight as pilot confirmed intoxicated

© ITAR-TASS/Valery Sharifulin

BLAGOVESHCHENSK, March 05. /ITAR-TASS/. Prosecutors in the Russian Far East town of Blagoveshchensk have confirmed that an Aeroflot pilot who delayed a flight to Moscow was intoxicated. The pilot is expected to be dismissed following the incident.

"The case is resounding, so I believe he will be relieved of his duties," prosecution official Sergei Sviridenko told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

Local investigators launched inquiries after the pilot was suspended. "I believe the check will be completed by the end of this week, " Sviridenko said. "Prosecutors will demand that Aeroflot disciplines thr pilot," Sviridenko said.

Flight SU-1719 from Blagoveshchensk to Moscow was held up for about 10 hours on Tuesday, delaying some 180 passengers. The plane's commander was sent to a medical facility, which confirmed that he was intoxicated.

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