Frenchman Philippe Jernnard Arrested for Impersonating a Pilot and Trying to Ride in Cockpit of US Airways Flight

Pretending to be an airline pilot, Frenchman Philippe Jernnard, was arrested after attempting to ride on the cockpit ‘jumpseat’ on a US Airways flight from Philadelphia last Friday. According to reports, Jernnard attempted the impersonation after being denied an upgrade to business class by gate agents.

Now being held on $1 million bail, Philadelphia police say that the 61 year old from La Rochelle, France, is facing charges of trespassing, impersonating a public servant and lying to police. Because of the potential threats posed to national security, the FBI is also investigating the incident.

According to reports, Jernnard had a poorly faked Air France ID card, and a shirt and jacket similar to that of an Air France pilot, when he boarded the US Airways aircraft, bound for Charlotte, NC, and made his way into the cockpit during boarding.

Jernnard identified himself to the air crew as an Air France pilot, but became argumentative when he was told that he needed to fill out the proper paperwork to ride in the cockpit jumpseat. Becoming suspicious, the captain then ordered him off the plane and eventually had to call the police to have him removed.

So far, officials do not believe that the event was related to any terrorism activity, although Jernnard did say that he hates Americans. According to reports, Air France has confirmed that Jernnard is not an employee.