The final prosecution witness in the Hansen Helicopters trial in Guam testified Wednesday about the airworthiness of the company's four dozen helicopters and the accidents it had experienced.
Under questioning, retired National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator Jeff Guzzetti, appearing as a paid prosecution witness, said, “Most, if not all of the helicopters in the Hansen fleet, are not airworthy.” He went on to point out that of the 29 Hansen accidents he examined that date back to the 1990s, 18 were not reported to the NTSB, 22 involved substantial damage, and seven helicopters were destroyed. Guzzetti said Hansen had a “high rate” of tail rotor pitch-change link failures.
Hansen and its CEO John Walker stand accused of more than 100 counts of fraud, money laundering, and FAA violations including parts fraud. Previous trial testimony covered Hansen’s purchase and use of unapproved pitch-change links, a practice that saved the company tens of thousands of dollars. Defense counsel countered that practice was legal as Hansen was manufacturing parts for its own helicopters. This can be done under Part 21 regulations, provided all the proper design and manufacturing steps are taken.
The trial, which began in February, resumed Tuesday after judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood denied a defense motion for mistrial on the grounds of prosecutorial misconduct. This was related to the prosecution's elicitation of information from Guzzetti on the stand Monday that the judge had previously instructed excluded as prejudicial. The issue had to do with the August 16 fatal crash of a helicopter operated by Pacific Spotters, a company affiliated with Hansen, in the Philippines. However, while denying a mistrial, the judge characterized the prosecution’s misconduct as “very serious” and prohibited it from any future mention of any deaths related to any helicopter accident for the remainder of the trial. She also reserved the right to pursue post-trial sanctions against the prosecution.
Hansen provided fish-spotting helicopters, pilots, and mechanics to tuna boat companies throughout the Western Pacific for individual leases that ran up to $40,000 per month. The case is expected to go to the jury by next week.