“Nonetheless, Southwest did investigate the matter and as a result, ceased paying Mr 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. Southwest spokesperson Chris Mainz said in a statement that the airline “does not tolerate behaviour 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. His last flight for the Dallas-based airline was on August 31, 2020, three weeks after the incident that led to the criminal charge.
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 misdemeanour punishable by a maximum of 90 days in jail. “She had a right not to be subjected to this kind of behaviour, regardless of what may have motivated it or prompted it,” the prosecutor said. “This is not the kind of aberrant behaviour 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. Haak “had a duty to comport himself in a much more responsible manner,” Assistant US Attorney Michael Cunningham said. The judge told Haak that his actions had a traumatic effect on the co-pilot and could have impacted the safety of passengers and other co-workers. The first officer submitted a statement to the court but didn’t speak during Friday's hearing. “As the plane continued its flight, Haak further engaged in inappropriate conduct in the cockpit, as the first officer continued to perform her duties as an assigned aircrew member,” the statement says. * Woman stopped from boarding plane in the US because of 'lewd, obscene and offensive' top * US pilot faces investigation after swear-filled rant is recorded Michael Cunningham, who prosecuted the case.* US airline bans woman accused of assaulting flight attendant Lenzner praised the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and Southwest Airlines for their assistance. As the plane continued its flight, Haak further engaged in inappropriate conduct in the cockpit, as the First Officer continued to perform her duties as an assigned aircrew member.Īcting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Haak admitted that, after the aircraft had achieved cruising altitude, Haak got out of the pilot’s seat, and while still in the cockpit of the plane, intentionally disrobed and viewed pornographic media on a laptop computer. Haak was assisted by a female First Officer who Haak had never met prior to that flight. Lenzner and Acting Special Agent in Charge Rachel Byrd of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.Īccording to Haak’s plea agreement, on August 10, 2020, Haak was the Captain, that is, pilot in command, of a flight traveling from Philadelphia International Airport to Orlando International Airport. The guilty plea and sentence were announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Magistrate Judge Coulson also ordered Haak to pay a fine in the amount of $5,000. At the time of the crime, Haak was employed as a pilot with Southwest Airlines. 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.
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