According to a Post on the FAA Office of Inspector General’s website, an Oklahoma aircraft mechanic was sentenced to 90 days house arrest, 5 years probation and fined $57,500.00 for his role in concealing and making false statements in connection with repairs to Lycoming engines using unapproved parts. When the FAA inspected the engines, some engine parts were not airworthy. The FAA had also issued notifications on suspected unapproved parts. The case was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS)(DCIS is the inspector general for the Department of Defense), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the FAA.
This should be a healthy reminder that falsification of aircraft documentation can expose aircraft mechanics to significant risk beyond revocation of their A & P certificates. Criminal liability and enforcement are possible. I think this will especially be true when, as in this case, safety of flight is directly implicated by the aircraft mechanic’s conduct. Additionally, given the federal agencies that investigated this case, it is likely that other factors were involved in this case that influenced the prosecution of the aircraft mechanic.
Paperwork violations are serious. But if the conduct puts people and property at risk, then you will likely see the FAA involve other federal agencies for criminal prosecution of the conduct.
