Regulations and Government
Hansen Helicopters Mx Director Pleads Guilty
Phillip Kapp faced multiple charges including defrauding the FAA and NTSB
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

Hansen Helicopters director of maintenance Phillip “Turner” Kapp has pled guilty to defrauding the FAA and the NTSB. Kapp was facing multiple charges relating to illegal activities conducted by the Guam-based tuna spotting company.

The company and its CEO, John Walker, were found guilty last year on more than 100 charges relating to bribery, money laundering, hiring of unlicensed pilots and mechanics, use of unapproved parts, and data plate swapping to create what the prosecution termed “Frankenstein helicopters” from wrecked aircraft. The government charged that these practices were behind $400 million worth of fraud and, in part, responsible for up to nine deaths due to helicopter accidents over two decades.

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