SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Fort Simpson man pleaded guilty on June 25 to a charge of interfering with a pilot during a flight from Fort Simpson to Yellowknife in November 2008.

Stephen Waugh, 28, originally pleaded not guilty to the charge under the Aeronautics Act for endangering the safety and security of an aircraft in flight, but changed his plea.

Stephen Waugh pleaded guilty to interfering with a pilot during a flight. - NNSL file photo

Waugh was arrested on Nov. 6 after an incident aboard a Summit Air Dornier 228 turboprop plane. Crown attorney Danielle Vaillancourt said they had nine witnesses in the court that day to speak to the events, but when Waugh pleaded guilty none were called to testify.

Vaillancourt read a statement from the pilot noting at the time of the incident the "accused was agitated" and he hit the co-pilot on the arm and grabbed his uniform.

"The pilot yelled for him to stop," she said. "The accused was threatening to beat up the pilots if the plane didn't land."

The pilot's statement also indicated Waugh said he was going to urinate on the pilots and all over the plane.

Once the plane was on the ground, Waugh attempted to rip the plastic guard off the emergency door and passengers were required to restrain him. One passenger stated she was terrified he was going to rip the emergency door off while the propellers were still operating.

RCMP were escorted onto the tarmac to detain Waugh. The pilot said Waugh as the first person to come off the plane. Waugh proceeded "toward the rear of the plane and unzipped his pants, preparing to urinate on the runway," Vaillancourt said.

Numerous passengers said they could smell alcohol on Waugh, who was believed to have been drinking prior to and during the flight.

Defense attorney Stephen Shabala requested sentencing be held over to a later date so Waugh could undergo psychiatric examination. Shabala said Waugh suffers from anxiety, claustrophobia and fear of flying.

Judge Robert Gorin ordered a pre-sentencing report to be completed by Sept. 10 for the Crown to review before they proceed with sentencing on Sept. 14.