A pilot who walked away from a helicopter crash near Porirua yesterday is facing a charge relating to a previous aviation incident.
The pilot of the chopper Rick Lucas. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Rick Lucas escaped uninjured when his machine crashed near the Pauatahanui Inlet while he was carrying power poles.
Mr Lucas said it was a frightening experience and he was extremely concerned when the helicopter started vibrating and plunged into the inlet.
He was submerged in the water but managed to free himself to climb on top of the helicopter to wave for help.
The charge Mr Lucas is facing in Wellington District Court relates to a breach of the Civil Aviation Act but the court file has no details of the incident that led to the charge.
The case will be back before the court later this month.