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OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Two Oakland police helicopter pilots are accused of conspiring with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector to falsify required flight tests and obtain pilot certifications they were not entitled to, according to a federal indictment unsealed Thursday.
Officers David Mac and Brandon Mart, members of the Oakland Police Department's Air Support Unit, pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges tied to the alleged scheme.
Prosecutors allege the officers falsely claimed they completed required helicopter check rides and submitted paperwork containing false information to obtain FAA certifications in 2023 and 2024.
The indictment also alleges one of the officers falsified police flight records to obstruct the federal investigation. Court documents allege the scheme involved William Miller, an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector based in Florida.
Prosecutors say text messages, flight-tracking data and department records support the case. In one example outlined in the indictment, investigators allege a helicopter used in a supposed February 2024 check ride for Mac never left the ground despite records showing the test occurred.
Prosecutors also allege Miller app roved some Oakland-area check rides while he was in Florida. MORE: Oakland police on track to exit federal oversight by September, judge says Mart faces three counts of FAA registration fraud and two counts of obstruction of justice by falsifying records.
Mac faces conspiracy and fraud charges. The allegations prompted Oakland Police Chief James Beere to release a video statement Thursday.
The department also issued the following statement: "Today, we learned of federal charges involving two department members. We take these allegations seriously and are cooperating with outside law enforcement agencies as they investigate.
The employees in question were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case. This is an ongoing personnel matter, and OPD cannot provide further details at this time." An FAA spokesperson declined to comment, citing the ongoing criminal investigation.
The case has drawn criticism from police accountability advocates. MORE: Contra Costa Co.
Sheriff's deputy arrested on theft-related charges, agency says "I think our, our gut reaction from our standpoint is that this is not new -- this is a series of things that the OPD continues to fall short on ," said Lance Wilson of the Anti Police-Terror Project.
Aviation expert Max Trescott said the allegations are concerning because check rides are designed to prove a pilot can safely operate an aircraft before receiving certification. "Well, the problem is we just don't know how capable the pilot is.
They may have been perfectly well trained, but if they haven't demonstrated it and gone through a legitimate check ride, then we have no way of knowing whether or not they can safely perform the duties that they're supposed to be able to do," Trescott said.
He said helicopter pilots are expected to demonstrate critical skills, including emergency procedures and other demanding flight maneuvers. INTERACTIVE: Take a look at the ABC7 Neighborhood Safety Tracker "Not having done the test undermines the entire process.
And check rides really are the bedrock of aviation safety. And if they're not done correctly, we just don't know if we have safe pilots in the air," Trescott said.
Gợi ý thực hành:
1. Theo dõi thông báo từ cơ quan địa phương tại California.
2. Kiểm tra nguồn chính thức trước khi chia sẻ lại thông tin.