Pilot Who Crashed L-29 Delfin In California Was Not Checked Out To Fly It
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 "You 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.
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.
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