Pilots Indicted for Falsifying Medical Records

By Ramsay Crooks

Published on July 22, 2005

While the pilots claimed to be fit to fly, they were collecting disability payments for medical and psychiatric problems that would have otherwise disqualified them from operating aircraft. Authorities said these pilots continued to operate aircraft despite having disabilities such as shizophrenia, bipolar disorder and, severe heart conditions.

The indictments were the result of an eighteen-month Homeland Security review of 40,000 pilots in Northern California. The purpose of the review was to investigate fraudulent use of Social Security numbers. When dozens of names turned up in both Social Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration rolls, "they realized there was probably criminal wrongdoing {that involved} either lying to the FAA or wrongfully receiving benefits," said Marlon Cobar, a prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney's office in Fresno.

The FAA has revoked 14 of the pilot's medical licenses and certificates. The remaining 26 pilots face possible suspension. Both commercial and air transport pilots were among those indicted.

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