As Many As 200 Commercial Pilots May Have Given False Information

An investigation is underway in China to determine if pilots, mechanics, instructors, and other aviation personnel there are actually qualified to do their jobs. The move was triggered by the revelation that as many as 200 Chinese commercial pilots may have falsified their resumes in 2008 and 2009.

The New York Times indicates that news reports coming out of China show that more than half the pilots found to have falsified their resumes worked for Shenzhen Airlines. An Embraer 190 belonging to Shenzhen's subsidiary Henan Airlines was involved in an accident August 24th in which 42 were killed and 54 injured. The pilot of that airplane brought it down well short of the runway while attempting a night landing in Yinchun, according to Chinese media. Henan Province officials have reportedly demanded that the airline change its name because of the negative impact on the province's image ... even though the airline is not based there.

The investigation began before that accident, however, and it involves more than just Shenzhen Airlines. According to Center for Asia Pacific Aviation chairman Peter Harbison, China has a strong safety reputation, and that the Henan accident was not typical ... a statement he told the Times he could not have made several years ago. The Chinese government recently told individual airline executives they would be held personally responsible for accidents, which causes Chinese airlines to err strongly on the side of caution, Harbison said.

FMI: www.caac.gov.cn/English