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Photo of Air Evac helicopter from FacebookA former Kentucky Air Ambulance operator is being charged with operating an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol according to the Department of Transportation. Louisville-based Morgan J. Wiljanen is charged with piloting an air ambulance helicopter while under the influence of alcohol in March and appeared in court on Nov. 7.
Wiljanen is accused of piloting Air Evac Flight 79 on March 21 while under the influence of alcohol. He flew from Corbin to Richmond, heading to the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington with a passenger on board. The helicopter was operated by Air Evac, Inc. According to the FAA registry, Wiljanen holds rotorcraft instrument ratings and ratings for airframe and powerplant mechanics. His second-class medical was issued in January, just two months before the incident. It's not clear based on the case file posted online how investigators determined that Wiljanen may have been flying while intoxicated.The motion was filed in late October, with a motion for arraignment by Nov. 1. A waiver of indictment and filing of information was held on Nov. 7 in London, Kentucky before the Kentucky Eastern District Court.
According to court documents, after the Nov. 7 meeting the court ordered briefs on the plea portion of the proceedings on or before Friday, Nov. 17. A telephone conference was set for Nov. 21 in London and the defendant was not required to attend. He has been released under agreed-upon conditions of release.