Accidents
Newsmakers 2009: Platinum Jet execs, employees indicted on conspiracy charges
When a Challenger 600 operated by Platinum Jet Management

When a Challenger 600 operated by Platinum Jet Management
crashed on takeoff from Teterboro Airport in February 2005, the accident attracted intense FAA scrutiny of the issue of operational control. In addition, it resulted in the indictment this year of seven executives and employees of the now-defunct charter operator and conviction of two of the group.

Indicted in February 2009 on charges of conspiracy and making false statements were Platinum Jet Management president Michael Brassington, 35; his brother and v-p Paul Brassington, 29; managing member Andrew Budhan, 42; director of maintenance Brien McKenzie, 42; director of charters Joseph Singh, 42; and pilot Francis Vieira, 59. A superseding indictment handed down on November 22 included Platinum Jet contract pilot John Kimberling.