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<p>The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB)’s investigation into the Piper PA-46
Malibu crash of 21 January 2019 is under way, and the Government will consider any
recommendations the investigation makes in due course.</p><p> </p><p>There are already
strict rules in place that require commercial air transport operations to be operated
by the holder of an Air Operator Certificate (AOC). All UK AOC holders are overseen
by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and are subject to appropriate high-level safety
rules. The CAA does, and will investigate allegations of illegal public transport.
The CAA will prosecute people where there is sufficient evidence, and where it is
in the public interest to do so.</p><p> </p><p>It is illegal to operate a commercial
air transport flight without an AOC. The CAA conducts spot check visits to airfields
and public events where aeroplane and helicopter operations take place, and where
it finds evidence that a flight may have operated illegally it has the power to detain
an aircraft and, where appropriate, take enforcement action.</p><p> </p><p>The CAA
has previously conducted awareness campaigns with the aim of raising awareness of
the dangers of illegal operations, and of what to look for when chartering an aircraft
to ensure the flight is legal. The CAA expects to initiate a further campaign of this
type shortly.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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