Keith Alexander Thomas, Operating Without Pilot’s License, Iowa 2021

A new low in aviation safety was reached when Keith Alexander Thomas, a 44-year-old man from Portales, New Mexico, was sentenced in federal court for flying a plane without a pilot’s license. Thomas, who attempted to pilot a Cessna airplane from Wisconsin to New Mexico without the necessary certification, faced the consequences of his actions on April 15, 2021, when he pleaded guilty to one count of operating as an airman without an airman certificate.

According to information disclosed at sentencing, Thomas and another man flew from New Mexico to Wisconsin in June 2018 to purchase a Cessna airplane. Thomas, who did not have a pilot’s license, agreed to serve as the pilot and attempt to fly the plane back to New Mexico. However, the Cessna was not air-worthy and suffered engine failure as it flew over Iowa, forcing Thomas to make an emergency landing in Waterloo, Iowa. The plane’s engine failure was not the only issue, as it was also out of inspection compliance and the landing gear was not operational.

No one was hurt during the emergency landing, a fact that might have mitigated the severity of the sentence. However, the seriousness of the offense cannot be overstated. Flying a plane without a pilot’s license is a serious offense that puts the lives of the pilot and passengers at risk. Thomas’s actions were reckless and irresponsible, and he is lucky that no one was hurt.

Keith Alexander Thomas was sentenced to two years’ probation and fined $5,000. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of the Inspector General.

The case file number is 21-CR-2003, and court file information can be found at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Readers can follow the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa on Twitter at @USAO_NDIA.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of following safety protocols and obtaining the necessary certifications before flying a plane. It also highlights the importance of law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting such offenses.

In conclusion, Keith Alexander Thomas’s actions were reckless and irresponsible, and he is lucky that no one was hurt. His sentence is a reminder of the consequences of such actions and serves as a warning to others who might consider flying a plane without a pilot’s license.