![]() The airline told Insider it is complying with federal investigators and, "takes all matters related to workplace conduct very seriously. Few details of the event are included in the one-page court filing.Ī Southwest representative told ABC News that the company was unaware of the incident until it was contacted by investigators, at which time Haak no longer worked for the company. A non-stop flight between Philadelphia and Orlando on Southwest takes about 2.5 hours. It's unclear at what point during the flight Haak is accused of exposing his genitals. If convicted, Haak could face up to 90 days in prison and/or a fine of up to $500. Haak is accused of a "lewd, indecent, or obscene" act on an aircraft "of which he was the pilot in command." He's being charged in federal court because events that occur mid-flight are under federal jurisdiction. Michael Haak was the pilot in command on Southwest Airlines WN6607, flying from Philadelphia to Orlando, Florida, when he allegedly intentionally committed an act of lewd, indecent and obscene. Michael Haak was the pilot in command of. “The embarrassment and resulting publicity of this incident has in and of itself been humbling to Michael Haak and has served as punishment in many ways,” he wrote.Notably, Haak was in charge of flying the plane in question, Southwest flight WN 6607 from Philadelphia to Orlando. Federal authorities have charged a former Southwest Airlines pilot with indecent exposure for an incident they say occurred during a flight last August. Salnick argued that Haak deserves a lenient sentence given his “lifetime of hard work and kindness.” At the time of the crime, Haak was employed as a pilot with Southwest Airlines. Haak accepts responsibility for his conduct and "offers no excuses,” his lawyer said in a court filing. Mark Coulson today sentenced Michael Haak, age 60, of Longwood, Florida, to one year of probation, after Haak admitted that he committed a lewd, indecent, or obscene act during a flight in which he was pilot in command. “We are blessed that Southwest has been your home for so many years," Kelly wrote. Haak any benefits he was entitled to receive as a result of his separation from (the airline),” Mainz said.ĭefense attorney Michael Salnick said Haak had a sterling career as a commercial pilot and received numerous accolades and supportive letters from passengers and colleagues, including one from Southwest chairman and CEO Gary Kelly on the day of Haak's retirement. “Nonetheless, Southwest did investigate the matter and as a result, ceased paying Mr. Southwest spokesperson Chris Mainz said in a statement that the airline “does not tolerate behavior of this nature and will take prompt action if such conduct is substantiated.” Southwest only learned of Haak's behavior after he voluntarily left the airline, according to Mainz. 31, 2020, three weeks after the incident that led to the criminal charge. His last flight for the Dallas-based airline was on Aug. Haak, a resident of Longwood, Florida, was a Southwest Airlines pilot for 27 years until his retirement. The judge wasn't bound by that recommendation. He was charged in Maryland because it was one of the states that the aircraft passed over that day.įederal prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of probation without requiring Haak to register as a sex offender. Haak was charged in April with intentionally committing a lewd, indecent or obscene act in a public place, a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of 90 days in jail. ![]() “She had a right not to be subjected to this kind of behavior, regardless of what may have motivated it or prompted it,” the prosecutor said. “This is not the kind of aberrant behavior that anyone should accept,” the prosecutor added.Ĭunningham said the first officer “unfortunately suffered some consequences” as a result of the incident that Haak “didn’t have anything to do with,” but he didn’t elaborate. Monkeypox Q&A: What Doctor Says You Need to Know
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