Mid-air shock: British Airways crewman found naked and babbling in toilet after taking meth

A British Airways flight attendant was found naked inside an aircraft toilet while high on drugs during a service from California to London. Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court heard that Haden Pentecost, 41, became visibly distressed during the journey, described by colleagues as “sweating” and “babbling.”

He had earlier failed to assist with pre-flight safety checks and was stood down by his manager. Soon after, he complained of stomach pain and said he needed to change his clothes before locking himself in the lavatory.

When a colleague later opened the door, they found him naked and apparently unaware of his state. She dressed him and moved him to a passenger seat.

Medical checks onboard
The captain was alerted and asked a health professional on board to assess him. Witnesses described him as incoherent and erratic, muttering meaningless phrases.

Staff noted he had dilated pupils and a high heart rate. He required observation every 20 minutes until the flight landed at Heathrow, where paramedics took him to hospital. A blood test confirmed the presence of methamphetamine and amphetamines in his system, according to the BBC.

Court proceedings
Pentecost, from Basingstoke, appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Friday. He pleaded guilty to “performing an aviation function while impaired by drugs.” The court granted him bail, and sentencing will take place at Isleworth Crown Court on a later date.

He joined British Airways in 2018 but has since been dismissed. Aviation A2Z reported that he had previously been investigated for unspecified conduct, though this incident was described as his most serious breach.

The case comes after a separate incident earlier this year, also involving a British Airways crew member. A steward was suspended after being found dancing naked in a business-class toilet on a San Francisco to London flight.

Colleagues said he had vanished during meal service and was later discovered incoherent in the lavatory. He was dressed in First Class pyjamas and restrained in a seat for the rest of the ten-and-a-half-hour journey, which carried about 470 passengers. Police arrested him on arrival.

One crew member told investigators that instead of serving meals, “he was stripping off and dancing in the toilet.”