A federal jury in Anchorage has found William Marsan, a resident of Palmer, Alaska, guilty of violating several aviation regulations. The verdict comes after evidence presented at trial revealed that Marsan had operated an aircraft without a valid license and registration.
Marsan, 57, who had held an Airman Certificate as an Airline Transport Pilot for nearly three decades, ran an aviation business from Palmer and owned a Piper Cherokee aircraft. In June 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received reports that Marsan failed to communicate his takeoff intentions from Warren “Bud” Woods Palmer Municipal Airport. This led to a near collision with another aircraft.
Investigations showed that Marsan's aircraft was unregistered since he revoked its registration in June 2022. Additionally, his medical certificate required for piloting had lapsed in 2020 and 2021. Despite FAA inspectors' attempts to obtain necessary documents from him in July 2023, Marsan refused to comply and claimed exemption from such requirements.
The FAA responded by revoking his pilot’s license through an Emergency Order in January 2024. Marsan neither surrendered his license nor appealed the decision but continued flying until his arrest in July 2024. After being released pending trial, he missed several court hearings before being rearrested in September 2024.
Marsan faced conviction on counts of operating both without a license and with an unregistered aircraft. However, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision regarding charges related to false aircraft registration marks.
U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker emphasized the importance of adherence to aviation regulations: “Aviation is a pillar of our state’s transportation infrastructure... Let this conviction serve as a clear message that those who choose to violate these rules will face prosecution.”
Special Agent Rebecca Day from the FBI underscored the risks posed by unauthorized aircraft operations: “The use of unregistered or unauthorized aircraft poses a significant risk to public safety.”
Regional Administrator Michael O’Hare credited FAA inspectors and thanked law enforcement partners for their roles in resolving the case: “I credit the FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors for bringing this matter to my attention... I also sincerely appreciate the U.S. Attorney’s Office for seeing the case to its conclusion.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Anchorage Field Office and FAA Alaska Region with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Bradley and Mac Caille Petursson.
