The FAA Launches Investigation After Nearly 5K Pilots Lied About Medical Issues That Would’ve Prevented Them From Flying

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating approximately 5,000 pilots accused of falsifying their medical records to secure a flying position.

According to The Washington Post, the pilots authorized to operate flights within the United States are veterans of the military, who informed the agency that they were eligible to fly. However, they didn’t reveal that they were obtaining benefits due to different disabilities that might hinder their flight clearance.

Over two years ago, Veterans Affairs investigators discovered these irregularities, but the FAA had not openly disclosed certain aspects of the investigation. Roughly 4,800 pilots are currently undergoing investigation.

The organization had been examining pilots who potentially provided inaccurate or deceptive details within their medical applications. FAA spokesman Matthew Lehner says that out of these pilots, 60 were a threat to aviation safety and were prohibited from flying while their records were under review. Out of the pilots, approximately 600 possess licenses to operate flights for passenger airlines. Meanwhile, the remaining individuals have commercial licenses that permit them to work for cargo companies and other businesses.

Despite the fraudulent reportings occurring for over 20 years, global attention was put back on the issue following a fatal incident. In 2015,  Andreas Lubitz, the Germanwings co-pilot, intentionally crashed a passenger plane into the French Alps. Shortly after, an investigation revealed that Lubitz received treatment for suicidal tendencies and depression. However, he deliberately concealed his condition from his employer.

By 2019, investigators were finally able to cross-reference FAA data with VA records.