Alaska Airlines, NTSB Say Old Case Not Relevant

The pilot of a Cessna 206 floatplane (similar aircraft pictured) involved in a mid-air collision in Alaska back in June had his ATP privileges suspended in 1994 after the FAA determined he had falsified training records. The Seattle Times reports Kevin Earp was one of five Alaska Airlines pilots caught up in the action who had to move to the right seat for six months following the FAA finding.

The specific charge by the FAA was that Earp piloted 137 airline flights and served as a flight instructor and check airman for almost three months after he failed to take 18 hours of required ground training in 1993, but nevertheless appeared on the roster for the classes. The FAA restored his ATP and the airline reinstated him as a captain after six months, and the airline blames the incident on deficiencies at the time in its own record keeping.

Alaska praises Earp's skill and professionalism, and he has continued to serve as an aircraft program designee, which allows him to issue airmen certificates on the FAA's behalf, suggesting he has the agency's faith as well.

In the June accident, the 57-year-old Earp was flying his 206 when, he says, he didn't see a Cessna 180 until it was too late to avoid it. Earp landed safely after the collision, but the 180 went down, and a family of four died in that crash. Earp still flies for the airline.

NTSB investigator Larry Lewis tells the Associated Press the old case is not an issue in the investigation of this year's collision.

FMI: www.alaskaair.com