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Fatal helicopter flight instructor Ian King found guilty | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A flying instructor whose student died in a helicopter crash has been found guilty of lying to get him a licence. | A flying instructor whose student died in a helicopter crash has been found guilty of lying to get him a licence. |
Ian King, 53, of West Yorkshire, had denied signing off inaccurate training records for Paul Spencer. | Ian King, 53, of West Yorkshire, had denied signing off inaccurate training records for Paul Spencer. |
Mr Spencer and his wife Linda died in the crash at Rudding Park, near Harrogate, on 26 January 2008. | Mr Spencer and his wife Linda died in the crash at Rudding Park, near Harrogate, on 26 January 2008. |
The judge at the five-day trial at Leeds Crown Court said Mr King displayed a "gross breach of trust". He will be sentenced next month. | The judge at the five-day trial at Leeds Crown Court said Mr King displayed a "gross breach of trust". He will be sentenced next month. |
In 2007, former Army captain Mr King recorded that his pupil had completed 51 training flying hours against the Civil Aviation Authority's demanded minimum of 45 hours. | In 2007, former Army captain Mr King recorded that his pupil had completed 51 training flying hours against the Civil Aviation Authority's demanded minimum of 45 hours. |
Fast-track process | Fast-track process |
Following the crash, a record of Mr Spencer's flying experience was discovered among his papers that was different from the hours recorded in the official log submitted for his licence. | Following the crash, a record of Mr Spencer's flying experience was discovered among his papers that was different from the hours recorded in the official log submitted for his licence. |
The prosecution said that Mr King knew it was false, but certified it to fast-track the process for his student, displaying an "utter disregard" for aviation rules. | The prosecution said that Mr King knew it was false, but certified it to fast-track the process for his student, displaying an "utter disregard" for aviation rules. |
The jury found him guilty of making a false representation with intent to deceive the Civil Aviation Authority | The jury found him guilty of making a false representation with intent to deceive the Civil Aviation Authority |
Mr Spencer, 43, and his wife, 59, from Brighouse, had just returned from a holiday in the Caribbean when they were killed. | Mr Spencer, 43, and his wife, 59, from Brighouse, had just returned from a holiday in the Caribbean when they were killed. |
The couple, who ran Country Baskets, a business which sold dried flowers, were regular visitors to the Rudding Park Hotel. | The couple, who ran Country Baskets, a business which sold dried flowers, were regular visitors to the Rudding Park Hotel. |
Following the sentencing, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said: "Flight instructors have a duty to certify training truthfully and accurately. | |
"Following the tragic deaths of Paul and Linda Spencer, the CAA sought corroboration from Paul Spencer's instructor, Ian King, of his certification of Mr Spencer's training. | |
"No corroboration was found and the decision was taken to prosecute Mr King." |
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