Wed, Dec 14, 2011
Alaska Airlines, NTSB Say Old Case Not Relevant
The pilot of a Cessna 206 floatplane (similar aircraft
pictured) involved in a mid-air collision in Alaska back in
June had his ATP privileges suspended in 1994 after the FAA
determined he had falsified training records. The Seattle Times
reports Kevin Earp was one of five Alaska Airlines pilots caught up
in the action who had to move to the right seat for six months
following the FAA finding.
The specific charge by the FAA was that Earp piloted 137 airline
flights and served as a flight instructor and check airman for
almost three months after he failed to take 18 hours of required
ground training in 1993, but nevertheless appeared on the roster
for the classes. The FAA restored his ATP and the airline
reinstated him as a captain after six months, and the airline
blames the incident on deficiencies at the time in its own record
keeping.
Alaska praises Earp's skill and professionalism, and he has
continued to serve as an aircraft program designee, which allows
him to issue airmen certificates on the FAA's behalf, suggesting he
has the agency's faith as well.
In the June accident, the 57-year-old Earp was flying his 206
when, he says, he didn't see a Cessna 180 until it was too late to
avoid it. Earp landed safely after the collision, but the 180 went
down, and a family of four died in that crash. Earp still flies for
the airline.
NTSB investigator Larry Lewis tells the Associated Press the old
case is not an issue in the investigation of this year's
collision.
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