Had to report two to the FSDO

Acadia

Acadia

Well-Known Member
I didn't make the call myself, but I guided a fellow employee through looking up tail numbers and gave him the FSDO number to call. The reason was that a few days ago a couple of aircraft traveling together landed on a closed strip on a private island owned by the organization I work for. The runway ends are clearly marked with large white X's. Apparently the pilots were pretty surprised when two of our staff showed up and informed them of the trespass, and that they actually landed on what is now part of a hiking trail. The pilots then told an unlikely story about being on official business for the forest service (in a tri-pacer mind and super cub mind you), and claimed that they were scouting emergency landing areas. We work pretty closely with state and federal agencies, so I am doubtful that this claim has any truth to it, but if is true the pilots should have no worries.

Someone from the FSDO plans to go out to the island with us to document the site. Assuming that this was not some kind of official business, are these pilots looking at anything worse than a warning from the FAA? Other than perhaps 91.13, did they violate any FAR?
 
cmill said:
Whatever makes you feel good about yourself.
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Um, what?

Are you saying there shouldn't be repercussions if you drop in on private property with X's painted on the ends? If one of my students did that, I'd grab their medical/student certificate and rip it up for stupidity.

If the guys were on legitimate business, that will get sorted out by the FSDO.
 
Told 'em they were on private property and chased em off with a shotgun? Yeah, probably. Gone to the FSDO? Probably not.
 
cmill said:
Whatever makes you feel good about yourself.
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I was wondering if I would get that kind of response. For the record, this was work related and not optional. I am sincerely trying to learn more amount the ramifications of this situation.
 
Acadia said:
I was wondering if I would get that kind of response. For the record, this was work related and not optional. I am sincerely trying to learn more amount the ramifications of this situation.
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Gotcha.
 
zmiller4 said:
Um, what?

Are you saying there shouldn't be repercussions if you drop in on private property with X's painted on the ends? If one of my students did that, I'd grab their medical/student certificate and rip it up for stupidity.

If the guys were on legitimate business, that will get sorted out by the FSDO.
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Too many people have the "I can do anything 'cause I'm a pilot" philosophy. It's scary.
 
Acadia said:
I was wondering if I would get that kind of response. For the record, this was work related and not optional. I am sincerely trying to learn more amount the ramifications of this situation.
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I'm not the FAA, but if the guys were being honest, then nothing. If they were lying:

1. They could have come up with something better
2. They're prolly looking at a suspension.
 
very good chance these folks will be vialated with the FAA and possibly have their licence suspended or revolked for a time.

They will probably have to have a 709 ride in order to show that they know how to read a map showing closed airports, private airports, and public airports. As well, as some sort of flying portion. They clearly broke the REGS by landing at a closed airport while NOT having an emergency.

Then if they did lie about this to you guys, now they are not showing good moral character. They could be in big trouble!!!!
 
jerrywhite7 said:
very good chance these folks will be vialated with the FAA and possibly have their licence suspended or revolked for a time.

They will probably have to have a 709 ride in order to show that they know how to read a map showing closed airports, private airports, and public airports. As well, as some sort of flying portion. They clearly broke the REGS by landing at a closed airport while NOT having an emergency.

Then if they did lie about this to you guys, now they are not showing good moral character. They could be in big trouble!!!!
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:offtopic:

Consider spell check?
 
Acadia said:
Other than perhaps 91.13, did they violate any FAR?
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Is your "runway" charted? Is it marked as closed on the chart? Does your runway closed marking conform to what it should look it (color/size/reflectivity).

I would guess the FSDO is going to come look at your field and get a NOTAM or a charting change to properly reflect the status of your runway.

As for the pilots? They trespassed on your property, that is a civil action you'll need to pursue, the FAA isnt going to care.

If I'm wrong, I'd like to hear what the FSDO has to say when they come visit.
 
Well I hate to see someone get suspended over this, but our first duty is to our jobs and keeping our visitors safe. I wasn't there for the event, I did not make the call to the FSDO, but I did direct my coworker in that direction because it is the appropriate response for the organization. The same level of response would be directed at any illegal or potentially negligent behavior; these guys just happened to be in airplanes.
 
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