Pilot 'Exposed His Genitals' In Public During Flight; Lewd Act 'Began, Continued' On Plane

A former Southwest Airlines pilot has been charged with indecent exposure after he allegedly exposed his genitals during a flight in August of last year.

Federal authorities accused Michael Haak of committing lewd and indecent acts mid-flight of Southwest Airlines Flight 6607 on August 10, 2020, WRC-TV reported. Haak was allegedly piloting the plane headed from Philadelphia to Orlando when the indecent acts were committed.

According to a one-page filing in the federal district court in Maryland, Haak "intentionally committed an act of lewd, indecent and obscene exposure of his genetals in a public place."

Federal prosecutors were quoted in the filing as saying, "The acts began, continued and were completed while the aircraft was in flight."

The filing did not specify where in the plane Haak committed the indecent acts.

A Southwest Airlines spokeswoman said no passengers witnessed any of the acts committed by Haak. She pointed out the pilots were the only people aboard the plane who were aware of the incident.

The spokeswoman also said Haak was no longer an employee of the airline, quitting before reports of the incident surfaced.

"The pilot in question is no longer employed by Southwest Airlines and departed the company last year prior to us becoming aware of the matter," the spokeswoman said, as quoted by WRC-TV. "The event was recently brought to our attention, and we've cooperated with the appropriate outside agencies as they advocate."

She added, "Southwest Airlines takes all matters related to workplace conduct very seriously, with a well-defined policy and reporting process for harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation claims."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal agents are investigating the case, a federal law enforcement official confirmed.

No information of Haak's legal defense has been disclosed to the public.