Instructor and ATP Who Signed His Logbook Has Been Stripped Of
All Flying Priveleges
The FAA has issued an Emergency Order of Revocation against
Douglas Gilliss for falsifying the logbook of David Zweigle, saying
he had personally checked Zweigle's ability to fly the L-29 Delfin
which crashed July 4th 2009, killing Zweigle and his passenger,
retired Air Force Test Pilot and airline pilot Robert Chamberlain
of Morrison, Colorado. The order further states that Gilliss
operated his aircraft in an unsafe manner by overflying a densely
populated area below 1,000 feet, and carrying a passenger not
required for the operation of the aircraft. All are serious FAR
violations.
The FAA immediately revoked Gilliss' ATP, Ground Instructor, and
"all other airman certificates you may hold", ordering him to
surrender them to the FAA immediately or face an $1,100 per day
fine. He is also denied from re-applying for any airman certificate
for one year.
Gilliss and Zweigle had been participating in a July 4th flyover
in Tehachapi, California as part of a three-aircraft formation of
Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfins, a Soviet era trainer. The aircraft
owned and flown by Zweigle fell out of the formation, passing over
a park and several houses before impacting the ground, killing both
aboard. Gilliss had signed Zweigle's logbook saying he had checked
him (Zweigle) out in the Delfin, but an investigation found that
the checkride had not occurred. The FAA also cited the conditions
of the flyover. FAR's prohibit flight below 1,000 feet over a
congested area except for the purpose of takeoff or landing, and
the order says Gilliss made two passes below that altitude. Since
the L-29 was classified as an experimental aircraft, carrying
passengers is prohibited during any demonstration of the aircraft's
"flight capability, performance, or unusual characteristics" unless
the passenger is essential for the purpose of the flight. The FAA
said Gilliss violated both of those FAR's.
The LA Times reports that Gilliss is a former Air Force Captain
and Vietnam veteran who has been flying for decades.
In the emergency order, the FAA stated "(Y)ou failed to exercise
the degree of care, judgement, and responsibility required of the
holder of any airman certificate, and you have demonstrated that
you presently lack the qualifications required of the holder of any
airman certificate.
L-29 Delfin File Photo
Based on the forgoing circumstances, the Administrator has
determined that safety in the air commerce or air transportation
and the public interest require the revocation of your Airline
Transport Pilot Certificate, Ground Instructors Certificate, and
all other airman certificates you may hold.
Furthermore, the Administrator finds that an emergency requiring
immediate action exists; accordingly this order is effective
immediately."
Gilliss, who flies with the Thunder Delfins, a group of L-29
enthusiasts, told the LA Times he would appeal the decision. He
said the flyovers were conducted at an altitude of 1,200-1,500 AGL,
above the 1,000 foot floor. He also said the planes did not
represent a danger to the public, as they followed nearby railroad
tracks and did not fly directly over the city of about 35,000.