 In June 1987 Ansett Transport Industries purchased a 20% stake in America West, increasing it to 26% in April 1991.In 1988 Patrick Thurston, Vice-President of Operations, Bob Russell, Chief of Pilots, and Carl Wobser, a captain, all pleaded guilty to multiple counts of narcotics trafficking.Three America West Airlines aircraft operated services in Australia with Ansett Australia during the 1989 Australian pilots' dispute.