A federal jury in Anchorage, Alaska, has found a Palmer man guilty of violating aviation regulations. William Marsan, 57, who had held an Airman Certificate as an Airline Transport Pilot for nearly 30 years, was convicted of operating an aircraft without a license and operating an unregistered aircraft.
Court documents revealed that in June 2023, Marsan failed to communicate his takeoff intentions at Warren “Bud” Woods Palmer Municipal Airport. This led to a near mid-air collision with another aircraft. Further investigation showed that Marsan had been flying without a valid license or registration after revoking his aircraft's registration in June 2022 and allowing his medical certificate to lapse in 2020 and 2021.
Marsan resisted providing necessary documentation when contacted by FAA inspectors in July 2023. Consequently, the FAA issued an Emergency Order of Revocation of his pilot’s license in January 2024. Despite this order, Marsan continued flying until his arrest in July 2024. He was released pending trial but missed several court hearings before being rearrested in September.
U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker stated: “Aviation is a pillar of our state’s transportation infrastructure. Mr. Marsan’s actions flagrantly violated critical aviation regulations designed to safeguard both the industry and those who rely on it.”
Special Agent Rebecca Day from the FBI Anchorage Field Office emphasized the risks posed by unregistered or unauthorized aircraft: “The use of unregistered or unauthorized aircraft poses a significant risk to public safety and undermines the integrity of Alaska’s airspace.”
Regional Administrator Michael O’Hare credited FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors and thanked the FBI for their partnership: “I credit the FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors for bringing this matter to my attention and thank the FBI for being excellent partners in addressing the referral."
The case was investigated by the FBI Anchorage Field Office and FAA Alaska Region, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bradley and Mac Caille Petursson.