27 Pilots Indicted for Lies on Drug, Alcohol Records

Twenty-seven pilots who allegedly lied about drug or alcohol-related convictions to get their licenses have been indicted for making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration, officials said today.

“These indictments are the first in a special nationwide project . . . to vigorously pursue this abuse in a critical sector of the nation’s transportation system,” interim U.S. Attorney Robert Genzman said.

The 27 could face five years in prison and up to $250,000 each in fines.

Ben Lorigo of the Department of Transportation inspector general’s office in Washington said the crackdown came after painstaking computer checks of 711,000 pilots around the country.

He said other investigations are in progress and more indictments are expected.

Among those indicted are 12 current or former commercial pilots, including one for Delta Air Lines; 2 student pilots; 10 private pilots, and 3 others, Lorigo said.

Drunk Driving Arrest

Fred Kopec, 27, of Orlando, Fla., the Delta pilot, was charged with failing to reveal a drunk driving arrest in Lee County, Ala., in January, 1984.

Delta spokeswoman Jackie Pate in Atlanta confirmed Kopec works for the airline, but said officials have not yet been formally notified of his indictment.

When Delta is informed, “We will take the appropriate action, which would be to suspend the pilot,” Pate said.

Also facing charges was Orion Air pilot John David Klepac, 48, of Tampa, who is accused of failing to disclose a conviction for conspiracy to import marijuana and cocaine into Florida in December, 1981.

Ronald Newton Crews, 36, of Cocoa Beach, Fla., a pilot for Cherokee Air Express, was convicted of trafficking cocaine in Polk County in June, 1985, and failed to inform the FAA, the indictment said.