Shamed BA pilot who 'snorted drugs off topless woman' interviewed for budget airline Wizz Air days before he was exposed
1 October 2023, 21:43 | Updated: 25 April 2024, 09:31
A married British Airways pilot who snorted cocaine off a woman's chest before attempting to fly passengers to the UK interviewed for a job at a rival airline days before being exposed.
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Mike Beaton took the drug during a night out in Johannesburg four weeks ago but the flight he was due to be on was cancelled by the airline at the cost of £100,000 after a stewardess tipped them off.
The father-of-one from Devon was flown back from South Africa for a drugs test at Heathrow the next day and he was fired after it came back positive.
However, it's now been revealed that the pilot attempted to join budget airline Wizz Air shortly after he was let go.
Beaton is said to have been one of seven pilots invited to a selection event which took place near Gatwick Airport, just days before his illicit exploits surfaced.
Beaton was not picked for the role, however, it remains unclear how he was able to show his medical certificate to selection organisers given the dismissal.
The Civil Aviation Authority has not revealed the date upon which the pilot's licence was revoked - an action which would have seen the pilot stripped of the document.
Following the news, a Wizz Air spokesperson told the Mail Online: "Mr. Beaton did attend a Wizz Air pilot selection event on 23rd September, prior to any media exposure. He was not successful in his application and has not been hired by Wizz Air.
"Wizz Air follows strict procedures when recruiting for pilots. All applicants must have a valid UK CAA Class One Medical, and therefore meet the requirements to obtain and maintain the requirements of that medical.
It added: "The safety of passengers is our number one priority, so in addition to regular requirements, we conduct stringent psychoactive substance testing and background checks when hiring new staff to ensure pilots are fit to fly."
Following Mr Beaton's exploits, the first officer revealed what happened during the night out to a stewardess.
Beaton told her he had met a female Welsh tourist and a Spanish woman while he was at a nightclub in the South African city.
"We all walk (stagger) back up to the hotel bar for 'one last one before bed'," he messaged in a chat obtained by The Sun.
"Welsh and one of these guys is getting on very well, but she's told him that I'm her boyfriend.
"Couple of drinks in the bar, bit of snogging, and then we're somehow all on our way to this dude's flat.
"Welsh has decided that I should actually be her boyfriend — Spanish has hooked up with one of the two local lads."
He said the girls began dancing topless before "one of the local lads" arrived with cocaine before they discussed whose chest they should take the drug on.
"That's the story of how I ended up snorting coke off a girl's t**s in Joburg," he said.
The pilot admitted he had sex with the Welsh woman - despite being married. He runs a luxury hot tub retreat with his wife.
An airline source said BA was "in shock".
"Of all the bad behaviour that goes on downroute between flights, this incident is hard to believe," they told the newspaper.
"A first officer is trained rigorously and knows the law inside out. Their remit is protecting the safety of passengers."
They added: "He will never fly again."
BA insisted passengers were never put at risk.
"Safety is always our top priority. The matter was referred to the CAA and this individual no longer works for us," a spokesperson said.
The Civil Aviation Authority said: "An airline must immediately inform us if a UK pilot has misused drink or drugs boarding, or being on board, an aircraft.
"In these cases we would immediately suspend the pilot's medical which means they cannot fly.
"In most cases the pilot would have an assessment with an expert medical team and if they wished to return to flying then a comprehensive rehabilitation programme would be put in place.
"The medical would only be reinstated if we were completely satisfied."
His wife declined to speak to The Sun at their home.
