A detailed investigation revealed that the references mentioned in one of the British Airways pilots are incorrect, the man has been sacked and is now facing 12 months jail time. Reportedly, Craig Butfoy had entered false details regarding his flight log in order to lie about his flight experience. Meanwhile, the airplane company has cleared that there was never any danger to passengers, and the pilot had a full pilot license and certification.
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A pilot has landed in jail after a major lie in his CV was discovered regarding his experience to get a job at British Airways.
Reportedly, Craig Butfoy had added false details regarding his entires into his flight log about his flight experience.
The 49-year-old managed to become employed and keep his job at British Airways subsidiary BA CityFlyer, as well as ex-Irish regional airline StobartAir, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.
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After getting caught, he was given 12 months imprisonment at Snaresbrook Court in London this Monday (28 March). The man asl admitted guilty to two breaches of the Air Navigation Order (2016) and four counts of fraud at a previous hearing, the CAA said.
Butfoy, from Kent, said that he had flown 1,610 hours as a captain on his job application to work for the BA CityFlyer, based out of London City Airport.
The man worked for 2 airlines between the period of April 2016 and March 2018.
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The CAA’s general counsel Jonathan Spence said: “The Civil Aviation Authority’s prosecution and the sentence imposed show that offences of this kind are taken very seriously by the Civil Aviation Authority and the courts.
“Pilot integrity is at the heart of aviation safety and we will take all steps necessary to maintain that position.”
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The court papers also alleged that Butfoy had added lies in his CV, including that he’d held a private pilot’s license since 1998, and had submitted false documents such as a training course certificate.
Meanwhile, British Airways insists that there was never any danger to passengers, and the pilot had a full pilot license and certification.
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They point out that the investigation was conducted only to find information regarding incorrect references and information provided by Butfoy.
BA added that Butfoy was suspended immediately and has not flown for them in several years.
The airlines also shared that on each flight there are two pilots so Butfoy would have never operated on any flight alone.
It also pointed out that the company has worked closely with the CAA since the allegations were made.
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A statement from British Airways reads: “The safety of our customers and crew is always our priority, and the fully qualified pilot was suspended and an investigation launched as soon as BACityFlyer became aware of discrepancies in his employment record.
“At no point was there any risk to customers or colleagues.”
StobartAir went under in June 2021 after financial problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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