6mos jail may seem harsh, but considering the fact that $30-40m damage was done, and it was only luck that no one died, he's really getting off scot-free. If people go to jail for decades for selling drugs, slamming 10 tons of aluminum into a populated area in an attempt to save on fuel costs is no less a threat to society. There could have been dozens of fatalities, and you and me would have to pick up the tab in higher premiums.
Only 6 months? For what he did? AND he gets to fly again in three years? That isn't even a slap on the wrist! More like a pointy finger and a "No-no! Bad pilot! No-no!"
When a person flies, they take unto themselves a substantial responsibility, much more than the average non-pilot takes during a normal day. When you add in the fact that the plane in question was significantly larger than an average Cessna trainer, the level of needed care and diligence increases even further.
For someone to have such a careless disregard for human life and property is unconscionable: similar to a drunk driver getting into a car on a crowded New Year's Eve night and trying to speed home, hoping that this 20th time they will still end up being lucky.
To add insult to injury, the "pilot" in question was not impaired due to alcohol or other drugs, but WILLFULLY ignored safety standards and violated regulations. This wasn't just a one time, accidental oversight: this was repeated, willful behavior. As such, giving this person the ability to fly again in three years is irresponsible.
Someone who makes the conscious decisions that this person made, to place greed and profit over regard for human life and property, should NEVER have been allowed to fly again. Period.
Loganspace --
Saints? No. There's a difference between making a mistake, and committing willful negligence and fraud. In my 20 years of professional flying, I have never ONCE falsified a weight-and-balance or flown an illegal charter. With his attitude toward safety, he shouldn't even be driving a taxi cab.
Cheap fuel @ Teterboro?? That type of operation has been going on for years! And not just Platinum.......it took an accident such as that one....to get the attention of the Inspectors. It was not so much as being overweight......the forward CG was waaaaay forward. I knew the PIC on that flight......it was a matter of when, not if...totally uncalled for.