Story ID: 
Owner of Hansen Supplier Spares Inc. Sentenced
By: Mark Huber
Caption: Spares Inc. manufactured unapproved parts for Hansen Helicopters
Word Count: 277
The owner of Spares Inc., an Oregon company that supplied 23 different unapproved parts to Hansen Helicopters, was sentenced to five years of probation, $8,500 in fines, and a $400 special assessment. Separately, Spares was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $945,165.89, less the value of tools and equipment used to manufacture aircraft parts that the company forfeited.
On April 20, Spares pleaded guilty to one count of aircraft parts fraud. Some of the parts in question—including tail rotor pitch change links for Hughes 369-series helicopters—were implicated in several Hansen accidents. Spares was operated by Frank Litkei, who died in 2021. Control of the company then passed to his widow, Christine Litkei. Spares ceased operations in 2022.
Federal prosecutors charged that Spares “misrepresented the legitimacy of these parts on internal documents and purchase orders. Upon receipt of the unapproved [tail rotor pitch change links (TRPCLs )], Hansen employees painted the parts black to mimic the coating of an approved part, improperly installed the bearings, then installed the parts on helicopters leased to Pacific Ocean boating companies. Post-installation images of the TRPCLs showed improper installation with zip ties and improper repairs with pieces of cloth fabric, as well as visible damage and degradation.”
In September 2022, Hansen and its owner, John Walker, were found guilty on nearly 100 related counts, including conspiracy; defrauding the FAA and the NTSB; bribery; aircraft parts fraud, causing serious bodily injury and death; falsification of aircraft registration; employing unlicensed mechanics and pilots; wire fraud; and money laundering. Walker is in custody pending sentencing and the government is seeking separate, substantial forfeitures related to that case, charging that Hansen fraudulently received $400 million.