Former KY Air Ambulance Helo Pilot Sentenced for Operating Aircraft Under the Influence of Alcohol

There are lines you just don't cross in this business -- and operating a complex machine like a MedEvac helicopter, 'Under the influence' has to be darned near top of the list.  

On April 12, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky sentenced Morgan J. Wiljanen, former helicopter pilot for Air Evac EMS, Inc., to 8 months of incarceration, 18 months of supervised release, 4 months of home detention, and a $100 special assessment. In December 2023, Wiljanen pleaded guilty to operating an air common carrier while under the influence of alcohol. 

The investigation revealed that, on or around March 21, 2023, Wiljanen was under the influence of alcohol while piloting Air Evac Flight 79, an air ambulance helicopter operated by Air Evac EMS, Inc., from Corbin, Kentucky to Richmond, Kentucky. After landing, a blood alcohol test indicated Wiljanen had a .35 blood alcohol concentration.

The circumstances are terrifying... Wiljanen reportedly began flying erratically, enroute, experienced a loss of altitude -- and created concern among both the Paramedic and Flight Nurse on the flight. At one point, the paramedic observed Wiljanen slumped over in his seat. Yelling into the intercom allegedly roused the pilot, and he executed a somewhat erratic landing at Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond after being convinced to do so by his crew. Eeekk...

FMI: www.oig.dot.gov/, www.lifeteam.net/