Ventura Man Indicted for Aircraft Parts Fraud

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The importance of integrity in aircraft maintenance practices.

News Summary

Jared Michael Swensen, owner of Light Helicopter Depot, faces a 10-count federal indictment for fraudulently selling end-of-life aircraft parts. Accused of misrepresenting service hours and manufacturing maintenance records, Swensen’s actions could jeopardize aviation safety. If convicted, he faces severe penalties, and his company could incur hefty fines. This case underscores the critical need for integrity in the aviation industry regarding aircraft repairs and parts.

California – Jared Michael Swensen, a 48-year-old resident of Ventura, was arrested following a 10-count federal grand jury indictment that accuses him of engaging in fraudulent activities related to the sale of end-of-life aircraft parts. Swensen, who operates Light Helicopter Depot out of the Oxnard Airport, is facing serious charges that include two counts of wire fraud and eight counts of aircraft parts fraud. If convicted, he could face significant prison time, with a maximum sentence of 20 years for each wire fraud count and up to 15 years for each aircraft parts fraud count.

The indictment claims that between April 2020 and August 2023, Swensen and his company engaged in a scheme to repair and sell aircraft parts that were near the end of their service life. Prosecutors allege that Swensen misrepresented these parts as being new, deceiving his customers and placing their safety at risk. This fraudulent activity included making falsified entries in maintenance logbooks and altering sales orders and packing slips to misstate the age and condition of various parts.

Among the critical components replaced were main rotor blades, which were purported to have significantly fewer service hours than they actually did. For instance, one accusation states that Swensen claimed main rotor blades had only 215.2 hours of service, while they reportedly had at least 2,108 hours of use. Another component, a clutch actuator, was falsely advertised as having zero hours in service, when it actually had a minimum of 1,240 hours. Such misrepresentations of crucial parts raised significant safety concerns, as failure of this equipment could likely result in helicopter crashes.

Federal prosecutors noted that Swensen’s company charged customers for various maintenance services, with bills ranging from $13,000 to $23,700 for repairs that involved defective parts. The U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General initiated the investigation into Swensen’s activities, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

If convicted, Light Helicopter Depot could face hefty fines as well. The company might incur penalties of up to $10 million for each aircraft parts fraud count and up to $1 million for each wire fraud count. The seriousness of these charges reflects the potential consequences not only for the company but also for the safety of the aviation community, as faulty aircraft parts can lead to disastrous outcomes.

Swensen’s case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis Mitchell and Danbee Kim of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section, underscoring the importance of consumer safety in the aviation industry. The allegations against Swensen highlight a broader concern regarding the integrity of parts used in aircraft maintenance and the potential dangers posed to pilots and passengers alike.

This indictment serves as a reminder of the stringent regulations enforced in the aviation sector, particularly concerning the sale and repair of aircraft parts. The FAA’s certification and inspection authority is critical in maintaining the safety standards required for aviation operations. As the case unfolds, it will draw attention to the measures in place to prevent fraudulent activities that can jeopardize aviation safety.