Southwest Airlines issued a statement noting Haak is no longer allegedly exposing his genitals in their cockpits as he left the company before the incident came to light. It was unclear who witnessed the exposure, how long or short was the duration of the event, and the reason Haak allegedly exposed himself in the first place They allege Haak “intentionally committed an act of lewd, indecent, and obscene exposure of his genitals in a public place.” “The acts began, continued and were completed while the aircraft was in flight,” according to the single-page document dated Friday and filed by prosecutors a federal district court in Maryland. A spokesperson for Southwest said Haak left the airline before the incident was discovered, and they have been fully cooperating with investigators. Unnamed federal agents confirmed an investigation is still underway, but provided few other details on the pilot. According to NBC4, federal prosecutors have alleged in court Michael Haak was the pilot in charge of Southwest flight 6607 last summer when he exposed his genitals in the cockpit mid-flight. “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.Federal prosecutors are claiming a former pilot for Southwest Airlines gave new meaning and purpose to a passenger plane’s cockpit on a recent flight from Philadelphia to Orlando. Salnick argued that Haak deserves a lenient sentence given his “lifetime of hard work and kindness.” Haak accepts responsibility for his conduct and 'offers no excuses,” his lawyer said in a court filing. “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. Blame Swatter for Latest George Washington Bridge Mess, Fort Lee Cops Say

Pilot michael haak