US Jury Convicts Pilot for Aviation Violations

A federal jury in the U.S. Department of Justice District of Alaska has convicted a longtime pilot of multiple aviation-related offenses, underscoring the serious consequences of flouting safety and regulatory standards. According to court documents made public on December 5, 2024, the individual, identified as pilot William Marsan, had been operating aircraft without proper certification and registration for a considerable period.

Marsan, who held an airline transport pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for nearly three decades, ran his own aviation business out of Palmer, Alaska. He owned a Piper Cherokee aircraft, which became central to the charges against him. The jury found Marsan guilty of both flying without a valid pilot’s license and using an unregistered aircraft. However, when it came to allegations that he used an aircraft bearing a fake registration number, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, resulting in no conviction on that particular count.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska highlighted how vital adherence to regulations is for aviation safety. “Aviation is a pillar of our state’s transportation infrastructure,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker. “Mr. Marsan’s actions flagrantly violated critical aviation regulations. Let this conviction serve as a clear message that those who choose to violate these rules will face prosecution.”

An FAA investigation revealed a troubling pattern of disregard for standard aviation practices. In June 2023, the FAA received a report that Marsan failed to announce his takeoff intentions from Warren ‘Bud’ Woods Palmer Municipal Airport (PAQ). Instead of coordinating with other traffic, he took off in the opposite direction of an incoming aircraft, narrowly avoiding a collision. This incident prompted further scrutiny of Marsan’s operations.

Investigators discovered that Marsan had previously sent a letter to the FAA in June 2022, requesting to cancel his aircraft’s registration. Furthermore, his medical certificate had lapsed in both 2020 and 2021. When FAA inspectors reached out to him in July 2023, he refused to provide documentation such as his airman certificate or the aircraft’s registration and airworthiness certificates. He insisted that he was not required to hold those documents, a claim the authorities found baseless.

In January 2024, the FAA issued an Emergency Order of Revocation against Marsan’s pilot’s license. He was given 10 days to appeal or surrender the license, but he did neither. Marsan continued flying until his initial arrest in July 2024. After being released pending trial, he failed to appear at several court hearings, leading to another arrest in September 2024.

This case underscores the importance of compliance with aviation safety regulations. Pilots are expected to maintain valid licenses, keep their aircraft properly registered and airworthy, and follow all communication and navigation procedures. Violations can lead not only to the loss of credentials and legal penalties but can also endanger lives. The conviction sends a potent reminder to the aviation community that safety rules are non-negotiable and that enforcement authorities remain vigilant in protecting the integrity of U.S. airspace

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