S. Lane Tucker, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office District of Alaska
A Palmer resident, William Marsan, was sentenced to three years of probation and fined $10,000 for operating an aircraft without a valid license or registration, according to recent court proceedings in Anchorage, Alaska.
William Marsan, aged 57, previously held an Airman Certificate as an Airline Transport Pilot issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for approximately 30 years. He managed an aviation business out of Palmer, Alaska, providing transportation services, goods, and people across the state using his Piper Cherokee aircraft.
In June 2023, the FAA was alerted to an incident involving Marsan at Warren “Bud” Woods Palmer Municipal Airport. It was reported that Marsan, acting as the pilot in command, did not radio his intention to take off and flew against landing traffic, nearly causing a mid-air collision with another aircraft.
Further investigations by law enforcement revealed that Marsan operated the aircraft without a valid license or registration. It came to light that Marsan had revoked his aircraft's registration in June 2022 and had not maintained his medical certificate needed to uphold his pilot’s license in 2020 and 2021.
During an inspection in July 2023, FAA officials found that Marsan refused to provide necessary documentation, claiming it was not required. This prompted the FAA to issue an Emergency Order of Revocation of his pilot’s license in January 2024. Despite being notified, Marsan neither surrendered his license nor filed an appeal and continued piloting his aircraft until arrested in July 2024.
Following his release pending trial, Marsan missed several court hearings and was rearrested in September 2024. On December 4, 2024, Marsan was convicted of operating an aircraft without a license and operating an unregistered aircraft.
“Alaska’s aviation industry is a vital part of our infrastructure, safely connecting people and goods across the state. Mr. Marsan’s actions—operating an unregistered aircraft without a license and nearly causing a mid-air collision—put lives at risk,” stated U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. "To prevent further violations and protect communities, Mr. Marsan will serve a significant term of probation under the relevant statutes and pay a fine for the money he made at the risk of others.”
"Marsan's flagrant disregard for aviation regulations put countless lives at risk and undermined the integrity of Alaska's airspace," noted Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. "Such reckless, criminal behavior will not be tolerated by the FBI and aviation authorities."
The investigation was led by the FBI Anchorage Field Office and FAA, Alaska Region. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Bradley and Mac Caille Petursson.
