ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando man, who works as a pilot for JetBlue Airways, could face federal charges after police say they caught him drunk, minutes before being scheduled to fly a plane to Florida.

Police detained the pilot, identified as James Clifton, 52 of Orlando, Wednesday at Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York.

A spokeswoman for Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority told Spectrum News that a TSA officer first noticed Clifton may have been impaired while going through a security checkpoint.

The TSA officer notified police, who later found Clifton on the flight deck of a plane, minutes from departing for Fort Lauderdale.

After failing a preliminary test, police said Clifton was given a breathalyzer test, which he blew a .17, twice the legal limit.

According to the arrest report, Clifton flew into Buffalo early Tuesday morning on a redeye flight from Los Angeles. He was scheduled to fly the plane early Wednesday morning to Fort Lauderdale.

Clifton told officers that he went out to dinner Tuesday night and had “5-6 drinks”. According to the arrest report, Clifton later said he stayed out until around midnight after consuming “…Ten 22 ounce tall boys”.

A spokeswoman for NFTA told Spectrum News that Clifton was eventually released, but could face federal charges.

A spokesperson for JetBlue told Spectrum News: “The safety of JetBlue’s customers and crew members is our first priority.  We adhere to all DOT rules and requirements concerning alcohol at all times and have a very strict zero tolerance internal alcohol policy. We are aware of the incident that occurred this morning in Buffalo and are cooperating fully with law enforcement. We are also conducting our own internal investigation.  The crewmember involved has been removed from his duties.”