Pilot At Major Airline Accused Of Flying For Nearly Two Decades Without Required License

An Air Canada captain was arrested after being accused of spending more than 16 years flying commercial aircraft without the certification required for the position, Canadian police announced Tuesday. 

Geoffrey Wall, 59, is accused of serving as an airline captain from 2009 through 2025 despite never obtaining the proper pilot license required for the position, according to Peel Regional Police.

Authorities launched an investigation called “Project Icaus” in January following Wall’s retirement late last year.

According to investigators, Wall was promoted to captain in 2009 after spending 11 years as a commercial pilot. The promotion required an airline transport pilot license, which police say he never possessed.

Over that period, Wall operated more than 900 domestic and international flights and earned more than $2.1 million. 

Deputy Police Chief Nick Milinovich said Wall had been “flying for years misrepresenting himself and his credentials” while working as a captain for Air Canada.

“This is very similar to a doctor that is licensed to practice family medicine but is doing brain surgery in their office,” Milinovich told reporters, describing how Wall was able to avoid detection for so long.

On June 1, Wall was arrested and charged with fraud over $5,000, two counts of uttering forged documents, three counts of possession of counterfeit mark, and public mischief.

“This case is deeply concerning and strikes at the heart of public trust and safety, as the accused is alleged to have put hundreds of thousands of passengers at risk across more than 900 domestic and international flights,” said Chief Nishan Duraiappah of Peel Regional Police.

Air Canada emphasized that “safety was not compromised” in a statement released Monday. The airline said Wall was fully trained as a pilot but lacked the certification required to serve as a captain.