Northwest Airlines, the Nation's fourth largest carrier, fired one of its pilots today after it came to light that the pilot flew a DC-10 loaded with 59 passengers while he was under the influence of alcohol. The two and one-half hour flight from San Antonio, Texas to Minneapolis, Minnesota was otherwise uneventful. "We don't have any reports of irregularities or abnormalities," said Northwest spokesman Jon Austin. After landing in Minneapolis a Northwest ground employee reported to a superior that the pilot's breath smelled of alcohol.

The pilot, whose name has not been released, was given two breath alcohol tests. He failed both. "The pilot in question has been terminated for his conduct in this matter and for his refusal to cooperate with our investigation," Jeff Carlson, vice president at Northwest, said in the statement. The fired pilot had been with the airline for three years. Northwest says that it is conducting an investigation to determine if any other employees knew of the pilot's condition during the flight. Northwest Airline officials are particularly interested in what, if anything, the co-pilot knew. The FAA is also investigating the incident and may suspend or revoke the pilot's license.