First Criminal Case Involving Helo Accident In State History

Not guilty. That's the plea from a Hawaiian helicopter pilot who appeared in court Tuesday on manslaughter charges related to an accident that claimed the lives of three people last year.

Glen Lampton was at the controls of a Heli USA tour helicopter that went down during heavy rain on September 23. In the days following the accident, Aero-News reported Lampton told investigators he believed the Eurocopter AS350 encountered wind shear, which led to the downing near Kauai's Ke'e Beach.

Lampton -- the first pilot in Hawaii's history to stand trial for criminal charges in a helicopter accident --  is also accused of reckless endangerment, providing a false statement and tampering with evidence. Trial is set for July 26, according to media reports.

Killed in the accident were Catherine Baron and Mary Soucy of Portland, ME, and Wisconsin resident Laverne Clifton. Two other passengers survived the crash.

After his plea, Lampton posted $100,000 bond. He has also asked the court to allow him to travel back and forth to his home in Las Vegas, NV.

According to the NTSB Preliminary Report on the accident, Lampton told investigators he had checked the ATIS from the nearest airport, Lihue (PHLI) which reported no adverse weather. Other helicopter pilots told investigators the weather had been building in the area for several hours prior to the accident flight, and had to amend their flights to remain clear of the clouds and rain.

There were no reports of turbulence or wind shear associated with the storm, according to the preliminary report.

FMI: Read The NTSB Preliminary Report