Pilot Faces Jail For Rescue Flight

A helicopter pilot credited with saving the life of an injured hunter in New Zealand is facing a possible jail sentence because he did the flight with his license suspended for a suspected medical issue. Stuff.co reported Monday that police seized Dave Armstrong's logbooks after the flight in April of 2014 and now he's facing three charges relating to the incident. Scott Lee, the man who was rescued, is outraged. "He's done a heroic act in my eyes. If anything he deserves a medal for what he's done."

Lee fell and broke his femur in a remote area of New Zealand and another helicopter was initially called to drop rescuers and medical aid to him. But the first attempt was unsuccessful and low fuel forced the first helicopter back to base. Armstrong agreed to try and had another pilot with him but took the controls when the other pilot was unable to maneuver the R-44 into position to drop rescue personnel and a doctor. Aviation regulations in New Zealand allow pilots to breach regulations in life-or-death situations but it doesn't allow them to fly if they don't have a valid license. Armstrong faces up to a year in jail and $30,000 in fines for the incident. He will be in court next week.