The federal government has taken action to impose penalties on Walter Benjamin Bius, an aircraft operator, and his company Prairie Flower Air Asset Company LLC, based in Huntsville. They are accused of running a "sham dry lease scheme," allegedly providing illegal charter flights without the necessary Federal Aviation Administration certifications. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the civil penalty action in a statement, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
From 2019 to 2023, Bius and his company arranged 237 flights using dry leases, where aircraft are leased without a crew. This practice is legal as long as it does not involve operational control, which requires an air carrier certificate. However, a civil complaint alleges that Bius's operation circumvented these regulations, running unauthorized charter services. The complaint also notes that each flight may have violated up to 16 Federal Aviation Administration regulations, raising concerns about safety and compliance, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
An investigation revealed that pilots flew without the required competency checks or instrument proficiency, violating Federal Aviation Administration regulations. "Today’s announcement should cause people to think twice before choosing to intentionally ignore federal aviation regulations and requirements," said Special Agent in Charge Joseph Harris from the Department of Transportation - Office of Inspector General Southern Region. The investigation was conducted jointly by the Department of Transportation's Inspector General Office and the Federal Aviation Administration. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Wiley, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
