Businessman Was "Upset" That Rotor Wash Was Blowing Debris Onto His Vehicle

A British businessman has been sentenced to a year in jail after being convicted of endangering a helicopter and the people it was carrying.

Houshang Jafari lives in an apartment worth a reported $1.9 million in a converted hospital in Bristol, UK. When a chiropractor and his wife landed a JetRanger on the property one day in May of last year to pick up his business partner and another passenger, Jafari reportedly became enraged that the rotorwash was blowing debris onto his Range Rover. The chiropractor had apparently talked with some of the residents of the building about landing there, but not to everyone.

The London Daily Mail reports that Jafari threw a bag of chicken bones at the helo's rotors, then kicked at the door. As the helo started to lift off, the 300+ pound Jafari reportedly grabbed one of the landing skids of the JetRanger and hung on, which caused the aircraft to bank hard to the right. He then "rocked it side to side", which witnesses said caused them to think the helo would crash.

The chiropractor, Dr. Mark Blokland, said he has not flown since the incident occurred. He has over 400 hours as PIC, but told the court he had "lost all confidence" and his license has lapsed.

Jafari told the court that he is "too fat" to have caused any problems, and that he did not touch the helicopter at any time. But Bristol Crown Court Judge Mickale Roach didn't believe that story, and said 'Grabbing the right-hand skid on takeoff was very dangerous, and was liable to destabilize the aircraft which had only risen 6 feet of the ground. In my judgement, your behaviour was deliberate and reckless."

Jafari was also ordered to pay nearly $4,500 in court costs.

FMI: www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/