Pilot arrested for outburst over security search

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

An American Airlines pilot was charged with third-degree assault after he allegedly injured a security checkpoint employee at Honolulu International Airport during a dispute over the type of search the pilot was receiving, state public safety and transportation officials said.

Harry Hartsough, 51, a Dallas-based pilot, was taken to the District Court cellblock, where he posted $100 bail, sheriff's administrator John Borges said yesterday.

The incident occurred at 3:45 p.m. Thursday when the pilot was asked to remove his shoe and then his jacket, Borges said. He grew angry with checkpoint screeners and, at one point, started throwing his shoes around, Borges said.

A checkpoint security camera recorded the pilot's actons.

"He took off his jacket and swung it around and struck a security guy," Borges said. "He's a pilot. He should know better."

Marilyn Kali, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman, said part of the jacket injured one of the screener's eyes by scratching a cornea.

The pilot, who was scheduled to fly on American Airlines Flight 8 to Dallas, was replaced and the 4:45 p.m. flight was delayed an hour, Kali said.

American Airlines officials in Dallas refused to discuss the incident.