FAA Clears Helo Pilot Who Helped In Utah Flooding

The FAA has given 29-year old Jeremey Johnson a clean slate.

Johnson was the helicopter pilot who, in January, saved a family from the threatening floodwaters of the Santa Clara River near St. George. As ANN reported, he then played a major part in the local effort to provide flood relief and, finally raised $20,000 for the victims.

Then he was charged by the FAA with violating the FARs. Specifically, he was accused of failing to give proper notice (seven days) before offering the fund-raising rides in his Robinson R-22 (file photo of type, below). He was also accused of carrying an explosives expert -- along with his explosives -- across the Santa Clara River (at the request of local authorities who were trying to clear a logjam in the swollen river).

Since then, Johnson said he's been extremely worried about his private pilot ticket and the possibility he'd face some pretty stiff fines.

Breathe easy, Jeremy.

While the FAA issued Johnson a letter of admonishment for the hazardous waste incident, he won't lose his license and he won't be racking up any major fines. Instead, he's taken a refresher course and obtained his commercial pilot's license.

"His background did not show any hot-dogging or any kind of negative history," FAA spokesman Mike Fergus told KUTV. "There were no sanctions, as such, in this case due to the guy's track record and his intent."

"I feel good about the whole situation," Johnson told KUTV. "I felt like they were really good with me. I think I would do things a little differently if I did it again. I would try to do it right and work with the FAA."

It didn't hurt that an FAA official took Johnson aside and showed him a thick file of letters supporting him -- letters from the general public.

"A lot of people came to my defense and helped me, and I'm sure that helped," he said.

FMI: www.faa.gov