Newly released video shows Southwest pilot admitting to drinking 'three beers' before failed sobriety test

Authorities have released footage of a Southwest Airlines pilot failing a sobriety test shortly before takeoff in January.

David Allsop, 52, of New Hampshire was taken into custody at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at around 7 a.m. on Jan. 7, per the Chatham County Sheriff's Office.

Police bodycam video shows officers questioning Allsop after receiving reports that the pilot might have been under the influence just before Southwest Flight 3772 was about to leave Georgia for Chicago.

The pilot admitted that he drank "a few beers" 10 hours before the flight, to which the officer asked him to clarify.

PASSENGERS REMOVED FROM PLANE, ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED VODKA-INDUCED DRUNK AND DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

Officers noted the smell of alcohol and requested that Allsop take a field sobriety test. Although the pilot initially claimed there was "no need." 

"A few beers," Allsop repeated.

"Define a few beers?" the officer asked again.

"Like three," the pilot said. "Light beer, Miller Lite."

Allsop ultimately complied, and video footage shows him attempting to walk a straight line, though authorities determined he was still intoxicated.

TERRIFIED PASSENGERS 'FLEW OUT OF THEIR SEATS' DURING DRAMATIC SOUTHWEST NOSEDIVE TO AVOID MID-AIR CRASH

Allsop was arrested, and the flight was delayed for four hours and left at 11 a.m. Passengers were rebooked or accommodated on other flights, Southwest Airlines said.

In January, Southwest told Fox News Digital that Allsop was "removed from duty." 

"Customers were accommodated on other flights, and we apologize for the disruption to their travel plans," a spokesperson said at the time. "There's nothing more important to Southwest than the safety of our employees and customers."

The Federal Aviation Administration strictly prohibits pilots from consuming alcohol within eight hours of a flight. They are also not allowed to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.04% or higher. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Southwest on Monday for comment.

Jannik Sinner retires from Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz, stuns crowd after just 5 games

The tennis world was psyched to watch Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz go at it again after the former beat the latter in the Wimbledon Final. 

But those spectating at the Cincinnati Open Final on Monday saw only five games played between the two men’s singles juggernauts, as Sinner retired from the match with an apparent illness. 

Thus, Alcaraz went home with the trophy. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"I’m super, super sorry to disappoint you," Sinner said to the crowd, as he stayed on the court for the trophy ceremony. "From yesterday, I didn’t feel great. I thought that I would improve during the night, but it came up worse. 

"I tried to come out, tried to make it at least a small match. But I couldn’t handle more."

JANNIK SINNER PICKS UP 1ST WIMBLEDON TITLE IN VICTORY OVER CARLOS ALCARAZ

Sinner never disclosed what exactly he was dealing with, but he never looked like himself during the match. Alcaraz took full advantage with a 5-0 lead in the first set. 

After the fifth game, Sinner called for a trainer to come out. It wasn’t long until Sinner told the chair umpire that he needed to retire, which was announced throughout the stadium.

Alcaraz, though, was as respectful as could be in this budding rivalry between the game’s top players. He quickly ran over to console Sinner, and when he signed a camera lens on the court, he wrote, "Sorry Jannik."

The question now becomes whether Sinner will be healthy enough for the U.S. Open, with the first round beginning next week in Queens, New York. 

Sinner is the defending U.S. Open champion, and after winning at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, many were pegging him to repeat at Arthur Ashe Stadium this August. 

Alcaraz, though, has a U.S. Open title under his belt after winning it all in 2022, marking his first Grand Slam title and being named the youngest number one player in the world in ATP history. 

He also defeated Sinner in a thrilling 2025 French Open final that went to a five-set tiebreak. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

About Us

Virtus (virtue, valor, excellence, courage, character, and worth)

Vincit (conquers, triumphs, and wins)