Bad blood spurred pilot's complaint

A Greymouth District Court jury took just 35 minutes to dismiss a dangerous flying case.

Fox Glacier helicopter pilot Colin Stephen Tuck, 52, was found not guilty yesterday of using a Hughes 500 helicopter in an unsafe manner at the Whataroa River reserve on May 14, 2004.

The Civil Aviation Authority alleged that Tuck landed too close to another helicopter, piloted by Brian McBride, on the grass helipad.

Mr McBride alleged there was a maximum 1m separation between the rotor tips of the two machines, and one of his intended passengers had to run for his life as Tuck's machine swept in to land at high speed.

His employer, Shane Quinn, gave similar evidence, but also admitted being involved in a past relationship with Tuck's wife.

The defence said the bad blood between the men was the catalyst for the complaint and Mr Quinn and Mr McBride gave exaggerated accounts of a routine situation.

In his closing address, Crown prosecutor Craig Ruane said it was clearly established that unnecessary danger had been created.

Tuck's landing was similar to a car screeching to a halt, brakes locked and tyres smoking, he said. The machine was settled close to Mr McBride's with the purpose of intimidation.

Defence lawyer Pip Hall said the case was a "beat-up".

"It's a frame-up created by people with other agendas and axes to grind."

Professional and personal jealousies resulted in Mr Quinn and Mr McBride giving over-dramatised evidence.

- NZPA