Federal prosecutors have initiated legal proceedings against Walter Benjamin Bius and his Huntsville, Texas-based Prairie Flower Air Asset Company for allegedly operating an illegal charter service using deceptive aircraft leasing practices. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas filed the civil penalty action on April 3, seeking millions in penalties for violations of FAA regulations.
According to the complaint, Bius operated Prairie Flower as a direct air carrier without obtaining the required FAA certification to demonstrate that the company met necessary safety standards. The action specifically targets the use of what industry insiders refer to as “sham dry leases”—a practice where an aircraft is purportedly leased to a client while the leasing company covertly maintains operational control of the aircraft.
Federal investigators allege that between 2019 and 2023, Bius and Prairie Flower conducted at least 237 charter flights under these questionable leasing arrangements, with each flight allegedly violating a minimum of 16 FAA regulations. The investigators identified multiple safety concerns, including the use of pilots who had not completed mandatory competency checks or instrument proficiency evaluations, as well as instances where Bius himself reportedly piloted aircraft without proper authorization.
U.S. attorney Nicholas Ganjei emphasized the safety implications of these alleged violations, stating, “When people choose to book private charter travel, they need to feel confident that the company transporting them meets all applicable safety and regulatory standards. This action will help ensure the safety of air transportation and safeguard the public from carriers that might endanger passengers by cutting corners.”
Special agent in charge Joseph Harris of the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, Southern region, added, “Today’s announcement should cause people to think twice before choosing to intentionally ignore federal aviation regulations and requirements. We will continue to partner with law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue those whose actions jeopardize the safety and integrity of the nation’s airspace.”