ATLANTA -- Channel 2 Action News has learned a federal investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration is under way involving famed comedian Ron White about allegations that he may have risked the safety of crew and passengers on board his private jet.

The allegations were made by White’s pilots, who live in metro Atlanta, and who said they were fired by White after the alleged incident.

White skyrocketed to comic fame on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour with Jeff Foxworthy. The one-time Suwanee resident now lives on the west coast but Channel 2 has learned he sometimes keeps his private jet at Briscoe Field in Lawrenceviile. The FAA is now investigating an alleged incident that happened on that jet.

White, part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, has a comedy routine called “Drunk In Public.” His two pilots told Channel 2 White was so drunk and belligerent on a recent flight they considered doing an unscheduled emergency landing.

The pilots said they were flying White from Ithaca, N.Y., to Briscoe Field on May 11 but later diverted to DeKalb Peachtree Airport. On that flight, the pilot told Channel 2’s Tom Regan that White was drunk and enraged and tried to enter the cockpit. The pilot said White’s behavior was so out of control, he and the co-pilot considered making an unscheduled emergency landing.

The plane landed safely at DeKalb Peachtree Airport. After the flight, the pilots were fired.

A local lawyer for the comedian told Channel 2, “I have absolutely no confidence in any allegations they make against Ron White. They were terminated by him. They’re nothing more than disgruntled former pilots.”

The attorney, Terry Lloyd, would not say why the pilots were fired. The pilots also claim White owes them thousands of dollars in pay and they said the matter has been referred to the FBI. A local FBI spokesman said they do not anticipate taking any action.