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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A pilot who was one of two men killed in a small airplane crash in Southern California had a long disciplinary record and lacked the medical clearances to fly, according to a newspaper report.
David Martz, 58, of San Diego lost his pilot's license three times and was facing a fourth revocation proceeding before the Aug. 6 crash that also left his passenger, 56-year-old Greg Bacino, dead.
FAA records show Martz had his license revoked in 1986 for flying an aircraft without a valid registration and possessing a false medical certificate — the same charge he was facing before the crash in a remote mountainside 30 to 40 miles north of Ojai.
He lost his license again in 2004 for operating an aircraft while his pilot's license was suspended and flying within 50 feet of people and property at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in San Diego. Five years later, he lost his flight privileges after he was captured on videotape receiving oral sex from a porn actress while he flew a helicopter over San Diego.
Federal regulators also investigated Martz in 2006 for landing a helicopter on a Los Angeles road to pick up Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee to take him to a concert.
No disciplinary action resulted, but the Los Angeles city attorney's office charged Martz with reckless operation of an aircraft, landing an aircraft on a public road and landing an aircraft without a permit, all misdemeanors.
Under federal regulations, pilots can lose their licenses for a year and get them back by successfully re-testing after the revocation period expires.
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