SA Aviation Authority to investigate senior SAA pilot
William Chandler was allegedly operating international flights with a forged licence.
Picture: iStock
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) said on Friday morning that they are conducting an investigation into a SAA pilot who was allegedly flying commercial airliners for more than 20 years with a forged licence, reports Northglen News.
The matter reportedly came to light after the man piloted flight SA206 from OR Tambo Airport to Frankfurt, Germany in November. Chandler was reportedly in Swiss airspace when a “reportable incident” occurred that lead to further investigations, according to Mail and Guardian.
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“Our view is that this is an isolated case. However, as the aviation regulator and the entity that issues pilot licences, we have earnest interest in this matter; and hence, we are also conducting our own investigation in order to establish where the loopholes are and whether there is a need to introduce additional counter measures,” they said in the statement.
The SACCA added that the investigation was important “not only for safety reasons, but to ensure that the prestige attached to a South African-issued aviation licence remains intact and the crew continue to be revered for their world-class competence”.
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