RN Observer Tampered with Medical Records to Fly
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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RN Observer Tampered with Medical Records to Fly
IIRC there were pilots who faked cheated tests when blind in one eye and even Bob Hoover qualified when his medical examiner told him he would test his eyesight reading the line second from bottom and left him alone for 10 minutes to memorise the eyechart.
Deserving a fine, yes, but Lao indicative of a wish to serve and fly.
And high blood pressure isn’t the most dangerous of conditions at that age - easily controlled and I’ve suffered with it for over 40 years.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...y-helicopters/
Royal Navy officer tampered with records so he could fly in helicopters
A Royal Navy officer tampered with records in order to get back to flying in submarine hunting helicopters, a court martial heard.
Lieutenant Owen Holton, 31, an observer at 820 Naval Air Squadron, used his officer rank to access and change spreadsheet entries from red to green, falsely stating he was qualified to return to the air after being medically downgraded.
Bulford Military Court heard that Lt Holton, whose squadron flew Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol Merlin helicopters with aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, tampered with the Fleet Air Arm document in July last year.
The court was told how Lt Holton had obtained his wings in May 2020 and was due to achieve a certificate of competence as an observer in August 2021, before he was diagnosed with a blood pressure problem.
As a result Lt Holton was medically downgraded in May 2021 and was undertaking refresher training when an admin “oversight” listed him as able to take part in a flight, despite having out of date training.
Commander Matthew Rees told the court: “Knowing he wasn’t permitted, Lt Holton went into the tracker and amended it to show he was medically fit and was in-date for medicine and drills.
“Having made these amendments to the facts, Lt Holton took part in four flying sorties on July 25, Sept 1, Sept 7 and Sept 15. These took place without him having the correct medical qualifications.”
The court was told that Lt Holton then lied to his commanding officer when challenged about discrepancies in the military database.
Cdr Rees added that while there was little “risk to aircraft or crew” during the first three flights, this was not the case for the fourth.
He said: “The instructor saw Lt Holton was on edge and had to be calmed down. During the flight, Lt Holton had sole control of the winch with someone suspended 40ft below the vehicle.”
The court heard it “wouldn’t have been possible” for the supervisor to intervene if something had gone wrong.
Having had to reassure his superiors before each flight, Lt Holton’s commanding officer called a meeting to investigate why this admin error had not been rectified.
In the meeting on Sept 20, 2022, Lt Holton was said to have lied about the training he had completed, resulting in a ship investigation.
On Lt Holton’s motivation, Cdr Rees added: “This wasn’t done for any financial gain, it was to accelerate his progress back into flying. There was no harm, but it did incur increased risk of safety.
“There was an intent to mislead and deceive his commanding officer.”
In mitigation, Bob Scott said: “Lt Holton felt under pressure to get himself back to flying. Over the last three or four years he has experienced anxiety and is nervous about being constantly assessed.
“That pressure is what caused him to make a stupid decision.”
Mr Scott said Lt Holton, who has a degree in Aerospace Engineering, recognises he had committed a “breach” of trust in the service.
Lt Holton admitted tampering with an official document and conduct prejudicial to good order and was given a severe reprimand and a £2,500 fine.
Deserving a fine, yes, but Lao indicative of a wish to serve and fly.
And high blood pressure isn’t the most dangerous of conditions at that age - easily controlled and I’ve suffered with it for over 40 years.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...y-helicopters/
Royal Navy officer tampered with records so he could fly in helicopters
A Royal Navy officer tampered with records in order to get back to flying in submarine hunting helicopters, a court martial heard.
Lieutenant Owen Holton, 31, an observer at 820 Naval Air Squadron, used his officer rank to access and change spreadsheet entries from red to green, falsely stating he was qualified to return to the air after being medically downgraded.
Bulford Military Court heard that Lt Holton, whose squadron flew Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol Merlin helicopters with aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, tampered with the Fleet Air Arm document in July last year.
The court was told how Lt Holton had obtained his wings in May 2020 and was due to achieve a certificate of competence as an observer in August 2021, before he was diagnosed with a blood pressure problem.
As a result Lt Holton was medically downgraded in May 2021 and was undertaking refresher training when an admin “oversight” listed him as able to take part in a flight, despite having out of date training.
Commander Matthew Rees told the court: “Knowing he wasn’t permitted, Lt Holton went into the tracker and amended it to show he was medically fit and was in-date for medicine and drills.
“Having made these amendments to the facts, Lt Holton took part in four flying sorties on July 25, Sept 1, Sept 7 and Sept 15. These took place without him having the correct medical qualifications.”
The court was told that Lt Holton then lied to his commanding officer when challenged about discrepancies in the military database.
Cdr Rees added that while there was little “risk to aircraft or crew” during the first three flights, this was not the case for the fourth.
He said: “The instructor saw Lt Holton was on edge and had to be calmed down. During the flight, Lt Holton had sole control of the winch with someone suspended 40ft below the vehicle.”
The court heard it “wouldn’t have been possible” for the supervisor to intervene if something had gone wrong.
Having had to reassure his superiors before each flight, Lt Holton’s commanding officer called a meeting to investigate why this admin error had not been rectified.
In the meeting on Sept 20, 2022, Lt Holton was said to have lied about the training he had completed, resulting in a ship investigation.
On Lt Holton’s motivation, Cdr Rees added: “This wasn’t done for any financial gain, it was to accelerate his progress back into flying. There was no harm, but it did incur increased risk of safety.
“There was an intent to mislead and deceive his commanding officer.”
In mitigation, Bob Scott said: “Lt Holton felt under pressure to get himself back to flying. Over the last three or four years he has experienced anxiety and is nervous about being constantly assessed.
“That pressure is what caused him to make a stupid decision.”
Mr Scott said Lt Holton, who has a degree in Aerospace Engineering, recognises he had committed a “breach” of trust in the service.
Lt Holton admitted tampering with an official document and conduct prejudicial to good order and was given a severe reprimand and a £2,500 fine.
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Lt Holton admitted tampering with an official document and conduct prejudicial to good order and was given a severe reprimand and a £2,500 fine.
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At least his heart is in the job.
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I'm suprised there was no loss of seniority. Surely, CO 820 and the SOBSs (being 820) should have known he was unfit to fly? I feel sorry for him in a way but he falsified records and he lied to his CO, who is going to trust him?
He is now a captain at a UK based airline. So much for integrity in aviation.
In the civil world, there was a DAME who had the attitude that CA$A's medical standards were a load of horsefeathers. He often applied the Sink Test to the urine sample - if it went down the sink, you passed. I rang once to book a medical, and he asked if I wanted to do it over the phone. Jokingly, of course, but he reckoned that the fittest person in the world could be failed if the test requirements were absolutely applied. He had a more practical attitude, though if there was something that actually affected your fitness to fly it would be reported.
Not long ago, a very senior RN Merlin pilot and QHI was caught having forged several annual medicals in his logbook. He had deliberately forged the entire medical entry and had not attended the med centre at all.
He is now a captain at a UK based airline. So much for integrity in aviation.
He is now a captain at a UK based airline. So much for integrity in aviation.
[QUOTE][he asked if I wanted to do it over the phone. Jokingly, of course/QUOTE]Went to the doc after work for the medical, walked into the waiting room to find a chap behind the desk and he said that will be X $, signed the paper work and I walked out. No joking 
Only in Tasmania.
Only in Tasmania.
By 'Senior', I was actually referring to his role on the unit rather than his rank, but you are not incorrect.
Now, there is an element of 'let he who is without sin cast the first stone', and here the line must be defined between well meant 'stretching' of the rules, and downright dishonesty. For example, I spent much time in a theater where low flying practically became a competitive sport, indeed if I refer to river challenge known as the 'Cresta Run', some will know where I mean
. We had a min authorized height, but this was a chance to get properly low, with no wires or obstructions, and to really learn the skills of flying exceptionally low. Were we breaking rules? Yep. Was it well intentioned? Hmm, not sure if it was or not, but it was great fun and everyone did it. Does that make it right - nope. However, this is different to forging a medical entry in a logbook. Where is the line exactly...that is a good question. I remember a famous quote from US Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart in 1964. The case was about hard-core pornography, and he stated 'I cannot define it, but I know it when I see it'. I think it is the same in terms of when rule-breaking becomes outright dishonesty.
Now, there is an element of 'let he who is without sin cast the first stone', and here the line must be defined between well meant 'stretching' of the rules, and downright dishonesty. For example, I spent much time in a theater where low flying practically became a competitive sport, indeed if I refer to river challenge known as the 'Cresta Run', some will know where I mean
. We had a min authorized height, but this was a chance to get properly low, with no wires or obstructions, and to really learn the skills of flying exceptionally low. Were we breaking rules? Yep. Was it well intentioned? Hmm, not sure if it was or not, but it was great fun and everyone did it. Does that make it right - nope. However, this is different to forging a medical entry in a logbook. Where is the line exactly...that is a good question. I remember a famous quote from US Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart in 1964. The case was about hard-core pornography, and he stated 'I cannot define it, but I know it when I see it'. I think it is the same in terms of when rule-breaking becomes outright dishonesty.
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It has always stuck in my mind what I was told at the start of flying training. "You're an Officer first, and then you are aircrew". Integrity is uppermost and he lied to his CO. Whether his heart was in the right place or not, he failed the key principle of why he is wearing the uniform of a Commissioned Officer.
As to AVMED O. Having been diagnosed with a particular medical condition which had little relevance to my aircrew medical fitness, the AVMED O couldn't find a relevant pick from the given drop down list on the computer. Finally, the two settled upon were "Unfit solo flight" and "Solo flight prohibited". As a Navigator, thankfully I never ended up in that situation otherwise I would have really needed some medical attention!
As to AVMED O. Having been diagnosed with a particular medical condition which had little relevance to my aircrew medical fitness, the AVMED O couldn't find a relevant pick from the given drop down list on the computer. Finally, the two settled upon were "Unfit solo flight" and "Solo flight prohibited". As a Navigator, thankfully I never ended up in that situation otherwise I would have really needed some medical attention!
Last edited by Nil_Drift; 27th Jul 2023 at 14:10. Reason: grammar!
Around 1986 a Seaking pilot attempted to Vertrep the Nimitz resulting in a class A mishap. Lifted into a a partial hover with a tail tie down chain still attached. One of six total. Helo slammed the deck and tail separated. Pilot made a futile and obvious attempt to change an entry in his NATOPS jacket. He had either been or was due to be grounded for being overweight. Not sure if this was done before or during the post accident flight physical. He immediately departed the squadron and Navy. I was his CP in a previous squadron.
One of the biggest causes of "blood pressure" is being faced with a white coat for a routine medical; after a half hour drive in rush hour traffic.
After the first "diagnosis", of minimal increase, every renewal becomes a trauma !
I say this as a now over eighty year old who was still capable, until recently, of walking one hundred miles a week solo for fun.
Also the most relaxing thing I ever did in retirement was a long solo X/C to a friendly strip.
Oh, and once upon a time, it was expected that there would be a nominal rise in BP with age - there was a rule of thumb for it. You weren't an instant candidate for the knacker's yard !
After the first "diagnosis", of minimal increase, every renewal becomes a trauma !
I say this as a now over eighty year old who was still capable, until recently, of walking one hundred miles a week solo for fun.
Also the most relaxing thing I ever did in retirement was a long solo X/C to a friendly strip.
Oh, and once upon a time, it was expected that there would be a nominal rise in BP with age - there was a rule of thumb for it. You weren't an instant candidate for the knacker's yard !
It's was never a health issue. It was always an integrity issue and he failed miserably.
Beagle -
With great respect, you're quite right Beagle, but unfortunately my impression is that for a good few years, 'no place' only applies to Junior Officers.
The upper echelons seem to abound with your 'no place' people. It's immaterial whether they do it for the good of the Service because they are 'ordered to lie' by their masters, or do it of their own volition. I refer you to a number of learned books on the subject of military mendacity by David Hill.
LFH ...... Supplementary List, therefore - Aircrew first - then Officer.
Even in 2023 there is no place in the Armed Forces for an officer who lies, cheats or steals.
The upper echelons seem to abound with your 'no place' people. It's immaterial whether they do it for the good of the Service because they are 'ordered to lie' by their masters, or do it of their own volition. I refer you to a number of learned books on the subject of military mendacity by David Hill.
LFH ...... Supplementary List, therefore - Aircrew first - then Officer.