Post by Bruce on Mar 3, 2008 22:21:40 GMT 12
from tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1318360/1614125
Two aircraft engineers could face time behind bars if their manslaughter trial in Nelson does not go their way.
John Horrell and Ron Potts were charged after a helicopter they were responsible for servicing crashed in Nelson two and a half years ago, killing the pilot and injuring the passenger.
The Crown says "neither accused had a lawful excuse".
The Civil Aviation Authority says the tail rotor driveshaft was not assembled correctly causing pilot Philip Keney to lose control on landing.
It has been revealed that the two accused did not themselves do the work on the rotor driveshaft but an unlicensed aircraft engineer.
However, the two men were supposed to supervise and check the work between them before it was signed off.
Defence lawyer Pip Hall says Potts checked the work but missed the mistake, and that this was negligence but it was not criminal conduct.
"He did not detect it and he accepts he missed it and he's horrified he did," says Hall.
The Crown will call nine witnesses for the trial which is expected to take two weeks.
Not sure what to make of this - I dont think Manslaughter charges against supervising engineers are appropriate.... certainly there should be some form of consequences for negligence, but this doesnt sound right.
Two aircraft engineers could face time behind bars if their manslaughter trial in Nelson does not go their way.
John Horrell and Ron Potts were charged after a helicopter they were responsible for servicing crashed in Nelson two and a half years ago, killing the pilot and injuring the passenger.
The Crown says "neither accused had a lawful excuse".
The Civil Aviation Authority says the tail rotor driveshaft was not assembled correctly causing pilot Philip Keney to lose control on landing.
It has been revealed that the two accused did not themselves do the work on the rotor driveshaft but an unlicensed aircraft engineer.
However, the two men were supposed to supervise and check the work between them before it was signed off.
Defence lawyer Pip Hall says Potts checked the work but missed the mistake, and that this was negligence but it was not criminal conduct.
"He did not detect it and he accepts he missed it and he's horrified he did," says Hall.
The Crown will call nine witnesses for the trial which is expected to take two weeks.
Not sure what to make of this - I dont think Manslaughter charges against supervising engineers are appropriate.... certainly there should be some form of consequences for negligence, but this doesnt sound right.
