The administrator of the FAA got into some trouble on the ground on Saturday.
Randy Babbitt, 65, head of the Federal Aviation Administration, was charged with driving while intoxicated on Saturday, December 3, 2011.
Police tell News4 an officer saw a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the street on the 3900 block of Old Lee Highway in Fairfax.
Officers say they pulled the vehicle over, just a short distance from Fairfax City Police Department, and found Babbitt behind the wheel. Police said the administrator was under the influence of alcohol. He was taken into custody and brought to the city's Adult Detention Center.
Police said that Babbitt was not involved in an accident and was the only person in the car at the time of the traffic stop. He was later released on personal recognizance bond. Babbitt is a resident of Reston, Va.
He became the FAA's administrator on June 1, 2009. Before serving in the FAA's highest post, Babbitt flew planes for many years and is considered a veteran pilot.
On Monday, the Department of Transportation announced that Babbitt had requested a leave of absence from the FAA. That request was granted, and Deputy Administrator Michael Huerta will serve as acting administrator.
The Department of Transportation, which learned of the arrest Monday afternoon, said in a release that it was in discussions with legal counsel about Babbitt's future employment status.
White House press secretary said President Obama was just made aware of Babbitt's arrest on Monday afternoon. Carney said the president "reacted as you might expect."
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