![Air Canada. [AP]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/10/rcv.YNA.20260610.PAP20260610071801009_P1.jpg)
An Air Canada pilot has been charged after flying 900 flights over 17 years using forged credentials.
Jeffrey Wall, 59, of Ontario, is accused of forging the qualifications required for a captain's role after his promotion in 2009 and operating 900 domestic and international flights on various Boeing aircraft, according to the BBC. He collected millions of dollars in salary over that period.
Pilots seeking a captaincy must pass written examinations and other assessments to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, or ATPL.
Local police drew a stark comparison. "It's very similar to a family physician performing brain surgery," an officer said. "It's not uncommon for fraudulent activity to go on for years. Eventually they get caught, and that's when we get involved."
The forgery came to light last year during a routine evaluation when documents were found to be inconsistent. Transport Canada launched an investigation, and police obtained a search warrant to examine the credentials, which were confirmed to be forged.
Air Canada removed Wall from his captain's duties as soon as the forged documents were discovered and voluntarily reported the matter to Transport Canada.
The airline told the BBC that passenger safety had not been compromised because Wall held a valid commercial pilot's licence and all pilots undergo competency training every six months. However, it acknowledged he did not hold the ATPL required under Canadian regulations to serve as captain.
Air Canada added that it was taking the matter "very seriously," saying it had completed an audit of all its pilots and found no other regulatory violations.
Wall joined Air Canada in 1998 and worked there for 27 years. He was indicted on charges of fraud, document forgery and possession of forged instruments — seven counts in all — on June 1 and is scheduled to appear in court on June 29.
dbsdn1110@heraldcorp.com
