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Ever Seen An Emergency Order Of Revocation?



On March 13, 2010, the Diamond DA40 piloted by Joseph Kirkbow flew low enough over Crystal Beach, Texas, to snag a fishing line, snap a fishing pole and blow off a man's hat, twice (on separate passes), according to the FAA. The FAA says in its subsequent emergency revocation order that witnesses saw the pilot smile or laugh each time he made a pass that caused people on the beach to duck. But, according to the FAA, upon learning that he could be in trouble he phoned one of his two passengers to tell her that, if anyone asked, she was "never on that plane." The FAA listed 21 findings in the revocation order that read like a laundry list of things the FAA does not want you to do in an airplane ... because most of them are. Based on that, the FAA determined "an emergency exists related to safety in air commerce," in allowing Kirkbow to remain certified. And based on his demonstrated "lack of qualification" to hold an airman's certificate, the agency issued its emergency order of revocation on June 16, which we now offer as educational reading for pilots.

The FAA found that Kirkbow violated paragraphs a, b, and c, of Section 91.119, (altitude requirements) and 91.13(a) regarding careless or reckless operation. It states that certificate holders who intentionally violate the privileges of their certificates compromise safety and found that Kirkbow "cannot be trusted to hold the certificate" it had issued to him. Kirkbow had ten days to appeal but was ordered to surrender his certificate immediately. The FAA told the pilot that failure to comply would make him "subject to further legal enforcement action, including a civil penalty of up to $1,100 per day for each day you fail to surrender it." The order states that Kirkbow may seek to return to the air after one year.

may seek to return to the air after one year.