Regulations and Government
Appeals Court Drops Charges against Hansen Helicopters Chief Pilot
The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing fraud case
Hansen Helicopters
Hansen Helicopters CEO John Walker was convicted Friday on more than 100 counts related to fraud, bribery, and money laundering related to his Guam-based helicopter operation. A number of accidents have been associated with that operation. © U.S. Attorney’s office

On November 6, the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals threw out criminal charges against Hansen Helicopters chief pilot Kenneth Crowe, a key defendant in the Hansen case. Charges were dismissed “with prejudice,” meaning he cannot be retried for multiple offenses related to Hansen’s hiring of unlicensed pilots and mechanics, use of unapproved parts, bribery, money laundering, obstruction, forgery, and fraud.

Hansen owner and CEO John Walker and Hansen as a corporate entity were convicted of these crimes in September 2022. Crowe and the company’s director of maintenance and v-p of operations were also charged, along with two key Hansen suppliers.

Loading…