The Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico published the result of the investigation into the supplemental payments to a pilot of the air unit of the United Rapid Action Forces (FURA) of the Police Bureau of Puerto Rico and the federal requirements to fly an aircraft in jurisdictions of the United States. The investigation evaluated the allegations that the pilot did not perform the functions of flying aircraft under the authorized classification of Pilot in Command.
The investigation revealed that, from January 2014 to June 2018, the Police Bureau of Puerto Rico disbursed $40,671 as supplemental payments to a pilot, under the classification of Pilot in Command, contrary to the applicable law and regulations.
The pilot, who does not master the English language, only made, in almost four years, three flights as Pilot in Command in which she accumulated 4 hours and 42 minutes. The Code of Federal Regulations establishes that a Pilot in Command must perform three takeoff and landing flight tests every 90 days and must master the English language.
In fact, the former director of FURA may have failed to comply with his functions and duties by authorizing the supplemental payment, despite knowing that the pilot did not master the language of communication with the communication and air traffic towers.
In addition, the pilot failed to comply with state and federal regulations by allowing the biennial exams (flight review) that every pilot must take every 24 months to expire.
The examination also revealed that the instructors who evaluated the pilot's performance in the flight tests in the Model 407 helicopter in 2002 and 2010 indicated that she had deficiencies in the basic controls and that she required training and to fly more frequently. The pilot did not comply with these recommendations.
The Report recommends that the Department of Public Safety take the appropriate administrative measures and evaluate carrying out a recovery. In addition, that it request the bureau commissioner to instruct the director of FURA to ensure compliance with the flight operations required by the federal regulation and the Bureau, to comply with the requirements for the granting of supplemental payments established in Regulation 6284, and to train the pilot in the Model 407 helicopter, among others.
The result of this investigation dated June 13, 2022.
See the Result of the investigation RIQ-DIE-22-07.
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