Another pilot suspected of drinking

WILMINGTON, North Carolina (CNN) -- Atlantic Southeast Airlines was awaiting results Monday from detailed tests before taking action against one of its pilots who was stopped by airport security agents who said they smelled alcohol on his breath, an airline spokesman said.

An ASA spokesperson said it is awaiting results of a blood test given to the Atlanta, Georgia-based pilot and investigating. Results of the test are to be announced Tuesday.

The Atlanta-based regional commuter airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines.

The pilot was scheduled to be the first officer Sunday on ASA Flight 4240 from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Atlanta when he was stopped at the airport's security checkpoint.

A breath test was administered by security agents; the airline administered further tests.

ASA has a no-tolerance policy, more stringent than that of the FAA, and the pilot could be fired if it is determined he was drunk, the spokesman said.

FAA spokesman Christopher White said the FAA was aware of the incident and had launched an investigation.

He said the FAA does not require alcohol testing for all pilots. It does require refraining from alcohol use eight hours before a flight, though he said individual airlines may have more stringent rules.

Flight 4240 was delayed three hours and 42 minutes

Delta spokeswoman Nicole Sundgren said the plane, an Embraer Brasilia 120 turboprop, was carrying 27 passengers.

She did not know how many crew members were to be on board, but the aircraft usually have two pilots and one flight attendant.

Earlier this month, two America West pilots were accused of trying to fly a passenger jet while intoxicated. They have pleaded not guilty to charges of driving while impaired, a misdemeanor, and operating an aircraft while intoxicated, a felony.

America West fired both pilots.