Cargo pilot indicted on drunken flying charge

A commercial cargo pilot was drunk when he landed a plane at the Spokane International Airport in April, federal prosecutors allege. Paul Robbin Roessler, of Federal Way, is to appear in U.S. District Court in Spokane June 29 for a charge operating a common carrier under the influence of alcohol, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The charge alleges Roessler flew a twin engine PA-34 aircraft for Airpac Airlines, Inc., from Boeing Field in Seattle to the Spokane airport while drunk on April 26. A federal grand jury indicted him last week but it’s unclear what prompted authorities to open an investigation. Airport spokesman Todd Woodward directed questions to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, but an office spokesman declined to comment beyond what’s in the indictment. Federal aviation records say Roessler was a certified commercial pilot and flight instructor but that his certificates are no longer active. A man who answered the phone for Airpac Airlines identified himself as Roger and declined comment. The company is described on its website as a contract cargo operator based out of Boeing Field since 1976.