Former pilot for Southwest Airlines pleads guilty to committing lewd acts in cockpit

Michael Haak had just taken off from Philadelphia on August 10, 2020, en route to Orlando, when the incident occurred. According to a statement from prosecutors, "...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."

Prosecutors go on to state: "As the plane continued its flight, Haak further engaged in inappropriate conduct in the cockpit."

As USA Today reports, Haak was charged in April with "intentionally committing a lewd, indecent or obscene act in a public place," which is a federal misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of 90 days in jail. The charges were laid in Maryland, "because it was one of the states that the aircraft passed over that day." Haak was sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and a $5,000 fine.

The female first officer, whom Haak says he never met before, did not speak at the hearing, but instead submitted a statement beforehand. According to USA Today, 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."

Prosecutors stated that the first officer "had a right not to be subjected to this kind of behavior, regardless of what may have motivated it or prompted it."

Southwest Airlines, for whom Haak had worked the past 27 years, said in a statement that they " [do] not tolerate behavior of this nature and will take prompt action if such conduct is substantiated." According to Haak's lawyers, the retired pilot "offers no excuses" and accepts responsibility for his actions.

The airline also announced that the company will cease to pay Haak any benefits.