Crash victim had license revoked for prior accidents

JUNEAU (AP) -- A Sitka pilot killed in a Juneau Airport crash last month lost his license in 1991 because of two previous accidents, a Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday.

Anton Bowers, 69, died Aug. 31 when his Cessna 172 hit a hangar on takeoff.

A week later, the FAA said he had no valid pilot's certificate, but finding out why took a trip through microfilm at the FAA's Oklahoma City headquarters.

Terry Gordon, manager of the FAA Flight Standards office in Juneau, said two previous accidents and two failed tests led to the loss of Bowers' license.

''Based on the facts and circumstances, he failed to demonstrate that he had the skill, care, judgment and responsibility required of the holder of a private pilot's certificate,'' Gordon said.

Bowers had an aircraft accident Sept. 3, 1989, while landing at Crest Airport in Kent, Wash. ' Gordon said.

''As a result of that accident, on March 16, 1990, he underwent a re-examination for pilot competency with the FAA in Seattle and that was unsuccessful.'' Gordon said.

On Jan. 2, 1991, Bowers was in another crash at Lake Washington in the Seattle area. His license was suspended eight days later, and he failed another re-examination later that month. His license was revoked on March 19, 1991, Gordon said.

State Medical Examiner Michael Propst, who performed the autopsy on Bowers, said alcohol is suspected in the August incident.

But Scott Erickson of the National Transportation and Safety Board in Anchorage said blood-alcohol tests of Bowers were not yet available. Toxicology reports can take two to three months, Erickson said.