Article content

An American pilot was charged with multiple weapons-related offences after screening officers at the Calgary International Airport discovered a loaded handgun in a piece of luggage.

The bag was passing through the X-ray machine at the U.S. security checkpoint about 7:30 a.m. Friday when officers with the Canadian Airport Transport Security Authority saw what they believed was a firearm, said CATSA spokesman Mathieu Larocque.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or American pilot caught with loaded handgun at Calgary Airport checkpoint Back to video

“As per standard procedures when they see something illegal like a firearm, they immediately contacted the Calgary Police Service present at the airport,” Larocque said.

The firearm was confirmed to be a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380-calibre handgun, according to court documents.

The crew member, believed to be the pilot or co-pilot, had flown into Calgary from the U.S. the day before and was preparing to fly back to the U.S. on Friday when the small loaded handgun was found and seized, said police spokesman Kevin Brookwell.