Investigations

On May 7, 2021, a criminal complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida charging Eduardo Aching with operating an airplane in a commercial capacity with a revoked airman's certificate. On May 12, 2021, Aching was arrested. The complaint alleges that FAA suspended Aching's medical certificate for failing to report a driving under the influence arrest. Aching continued flying airplanes on at least 10 different occasions with a suspended medical certificate. The complaint further alleges that after surrendering their medical certificate to FAA, Aching presented an altered FAA Medical Certificate to an FAA Inspector. Consequently, FAA revoked Aching's commercial airman's certificate for recklessly operating an airplane and endangering the lives and property of others. Following the revocation, Aching continued operating airplanes as a "for hire" pilot, including a flight in which local police arrested Aching for failing to present pilot documents when requested. Following this "Notice to Appear” arrest, Aching again operated the airplane on a commercial flight.

 

DOT-OIG conducted the investigation with substantial assistance from the FAA Flight Standards Division Office in Miramar, Florida and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

 

Note: Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.