News Summary

Jared Michael Swensen, 48, faces federal charges for allegedly selling fake aircraft parts from his business, Light Helicopter Depot, endangering aviation safety. Indicted on ten counts, including wire and aircraft parts fraud, he misrepresented critical components, leading to serious safety concerns. If convicted, he could face decades in prison and substantial fines for his actions that put lives at risk.

California

A Ventura man faces serious legal trouble for allegedly selling fraudulent aircraft parts from his business, Light Helicopter Depot, located at the Oxnard Airport. Jared Michael Swensen, 48, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on ten counts, which include two counts of wire fraud and eight counts of aircraft parts fraud. If convicted, Swensen could be looking at a maximum of 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count and 15 years for each aircraft parts fraud count.

The indictment claims that between April 2020 and August 2023, Swensen operated his business in a manner that endangered aviation safety. The federal prosecutors allege that he sold aircraft parts that were near the end of their service life while falsely advertising them as new and in good condition. This fraudulent activity raises significant concerns about the safety of helicopter operations.

Details of the Allegations

According to the prosecutors, Swensen made falsified entries into maintenance logbooks and altered sales orders and packing slips to misrepresent the age of the aircraft parts. The indictment highlights that critical components like main rotor blades were sold with misleading information. For instance, Swensen advertised main rotor blades as having only 215.2 service hours, while they had actually been in use for at least 2,108 hours. Additionally, a clutch actuator was deceptively represented as having zero hours of service when it had at least 1,240 hours logged.

The severity of these misrepresentations is underscored by the potential for equipment failures, which could lead to catastrophic helicopter crashes. Customers, believing they were receiving trustworthy maintenance services, were charged substantial fees ranging from $13,000 to $23,700 for repairs and parts.

Institutional Response

The investigation into Swensen and his company was conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The case has been officially assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis Mitchell and Danbee Kim from the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section.

Potential Consequences for the Business

If found guilty, Light Helicopter Depot may also face significant financial repercussions. The company could incur fines of up to $10 million for each count of aircraft parts fraud as well as up to $1 million for each count of wire fraud. These penalties could impose a severe financial burden on the company and its operations.

Background Context

Light Helicopter Depot advertised its services as being certified by the FAA, which typically indicates a high level of safety and reliability in aircraft maintenance services. The ongoing indictment serves as a reminder of the critical importance of transparency and accountability in the aviation industry, particularly when it comes to aircraft parts that directly affect the safety of flight operations.

This case highlights not only the actions of one individual but also raises wider issues concerning regulatory oversight within the aviation repair industry. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring that safety standards are upheld to prevent further incidents that could jeopardize lives.

Ventura Man Indicted for Selling Fraudulent Aircraft Parts