Judge Attributes Actions To "Error in Judgment"

A New Zealand pilot pleaded guilty in Blenheim District Court on a charge of careless flying Wednesday for an incident in 2006 and was fined $3750.

Pilot Toby Wallis was charged with careless flying because members of the public complained to the Civil Aviation Authority when they saw Wallis towing water skiers with his helicopter in a small bay off Queen Charlotte Sound January 4, 2006, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Witnesses reported also seeing a person suspended from a rope tied underneath the helicopter for about 10 minutes while hovering around the bay, before placing the person on a nearby jetty.

During questioning, Wallis could not recall if anyone involved was wearing a life jacket.

The helicopter was also seen doing low level passes and nosedives below 500 feet. Wallis was also charged for these actions, dangerous flying and low level flying, but they were dropped as Wallis said losing his pilot's license would negatively affect his helicopter charter business, Alpine Helicopters.

The judge acknowledged it was a serious offense but attributed it to an error in judgment.

In addition to the fine, Wallis had to pay $130 in court costs and $250 in attorney's fees.

FMI: www.caa.govt.nz, www.alpineheli.co.nz