Ex-Air Canada captain charged over alleged 17-year forged pilot licence

Ex-Air Canada captain charged over alleged 17-year forged pilot licence

For all the News from Mashonaland Central, Join One of Our Groups

A former Air Canada pilot has been charged in Canada after police alleged he flew commercial passengers for years without holding the licence required to serve as a captain.

Peel Regional Police said 59-year-old Geoffrey Wall, from Ontario, is accused of using forged credentials from 2009, when he was promoted to pilot-in-command, also known as captain. Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said Wall had been employed by Air Canada for 27 years, having started in 1998.

Police allege that for the captain role, Wall was required to hold an airline transport pilot licence (ATPL), which is obtained partly through passing written examinations, but did not have the proper credential. Milinovich compared the allegation to a medical professional working outside their scope, saying: “This is very similar to a doctor that is licensed to practice family medicine, but is doing brain surgery in their office.”

According to police, Wall flew several types of Boeing aircraft, operating about 900 domestic and international flights, and earned millions of dollars in salary while allegedly misrepresenting his qualifications.

To Advertise Inbox Us

Authorities said the matter came to light last year during a routine evaluation when inconsistencies were flagged in licence documentation. Transport Canada, the federal transport department, launched an investigation, after which Peel Regional Police opened a criminal probe. Police said their investigation included a search warrant and an analysis of the documentation, which they allege was forged.

Wall was charged on 1 June with seven counts, including fraud, forging documents and possession of a counterfeit mark. He is due to appear in court on 29 June.

In a statement, Air Canada said Wall was removed from duty immediately after the false documents were discovered. The airline said it voluntarily reported the matter to Transport Canada.

Air Canada also said passenger safety was never at risk, adding that pilots undergo competency training every six months. The airline said Wall held a valid commercial pilot licence, but did not have the ATPL required under Canadian regulations to operate as a captain.

The airline said it “takes this matter with utmost seriousness” and added that an internal audit of pilots found no other issues of non-compliance.

Asked how the alleged fraud went undetected for so long, Milinovich said offenders can become “very good” at “deceit and trickery”, adding: “It is not uncommon for fraud to continue for years and years. Eventually it catches up to you, and that’s when we get involved.”

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel for all the News from Mashonaland Central – Bindura, Mbire, Guruve, Mount Darwin, Rushinga, Shamva, Mazowe & Muzarabani