KLM Flight Academy in trouble
Heard some disturbing news about the otherwise well respected KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
KLM's Flight Academy has received a final warning from the Dutch FAA (NLA/RLD) and is likely to have their operating licence suspended by June, according to FAA sources. For several years already, extremely bad management and a total lack of internal control on instruction procedures, out of date training programs, aircraft servicing and validation of licences (the former chief flt.ops. flew without having any licence at all), are being named as important, contributing factors that have lead to several incidents and accidents, at the academy's facilities in Holland and Arizona, as well as to a fatal accident, last year in Holland, which fatally injured 3 people and badly wounded 2 student pilots.
A few years ago another fatal accident happened, causing the death of 2 student pilots.
The investigation into the latest fatal accident, which occurred in June 2000, has revealed that the 24 yrs old KLM flight instructor (500 hrs! TT), who is blamed for the accident to happen, was in fact flying without a valid licence.
The instructor was dismissed and both him and KLM Flight Academy are facing legal procecution.
The instructors' father (also KLM flight instructor), has taken up his early retirement.
In the mean time KLM is making frantic efforts in trying to save face and have replaced the management team of their academy.
Several KLM pilots have been asked to assist in writing new manuals and procedures.
KLM has refused to talk to the press.
I thought European flight schools were of the highest standard ?