ST. LOUIS (KTRS) Police in Swansea, Illinois, have released the pilot of a helicopter that landed on a parking lot on Bronze Point in Swansea Monday night. Witnesses say the pilot was the former CEO of Anheuser-Busch, August Busch IV. Busch was the last CEO of Anheuser-Busch before its sale to InBev.
According to Swansea police, the copter landed about noon Monday on the parking lot. Witnesses say Busch had left the helicopter by the time police arrived. Police notified the FAA because the copter was close to nearby buildings. They say the pilot returned about 8:00 Monday night and appeared inebriated as he entered the copter, though he later recorded .000 on breathalyzer tests. He was about to take off in the helicopter when police flagged him down and took him into custody. He was released about noon Tuesday. Swansea Police Chief Steven Johnson says they’ve been in close contact with the FAA and the St. Clair County State’s Attorney because, “This is not the normal case a street police officer handles.”