MSHP Spent $5.6 Million On A New King Air

In an audit released Tuesday, the Missouri State Auditor said that the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) did not do its due diligence before spending $5.6 million to acquire a new airplane for its fleet.

In a news release, Auditor Tom Schweich said the MSHP did not perform a formal written analysis to justify the need to purchase an additional airplane, or to purchase a new airplane instead of a much less expensive used airplane. Although the State of Missouri already operated 23 aircraft, including five passenger planes used primarily for employee transportation, the MSHP spent $5.6 million to purchase a new passenger airplane on Dec. 17, 2012.

Usage records indicate the state was underutilizing its existing airplanes before the latest purchase. In 2012, there were 159 days on which neither pressurized airplane flew and 113 days on which none of the state's 5 passenger planes flew. Conducting a cost/benefit analysis before purchasing new or used airplanes would help the MSHP ensure the cost effectiveness of future purchases.

The Kansas City Star reports that, in a statement, the MSHP defended the purchase of the 2012 King Air 250, saying "multiple factors were taken into consideration" and that a "thorough analysis of needs and usage" was conducted before entering into the agreement to buy the plane, which it said it bought for a "reduced price" of $5.59 million. The Patrol said the King Air is "significantly different" from the other aircraft in the fleet, and that "After careful consideration of all aspects, and evaluating the costs and benefits involved with each, the Patrol concluded that the purchase of this airplane would provide the best investment.”

(King Air 250 pictured in file photo)

FMI: Auditors Report