FAA v. [Pilot], Edward A. Hadley and Brent A. Kinney

In 2015, the FAA prosecuted a pilot for an altitude deviation that occurred when ATC assigned a fifty degree heading change for traffic and the autopilot altitude hold function failed during the turn. The matter was heard by an administrative law judge. Vigorous cross-examination revealed that ATC failed to give a proper traffic advisory communication, and the pilot acted in a safe manner the altitude deviation notwithstanding. Prior to the judge making a ruling, the FAA agreed to drop the charges in exchange for the pilot’s agreement to waive seeking attorneys’ fees from the FAA.