Pilot charged in Norman Wells death

[bizjets101]

Click Here Offence 220 - Criminal Negligence Causing Death (Manslaughter by Criminal Negligence) (ss. 219, 220, 222 (5)(b), 234)

IF, the pilot's lawyer feels the crown can prove the dangerous use of an aircraft, which may lead to a conviction on the manslaughter charge - then they'll just make a deal with the crown.

The young pilot, with no criminal record, worst case is he'll spend a few months in a Federal camp, 6 months in a halfway house - with weekends at home - and parole.

He'll meet lots of criminals who will be thrilled to meet a pilot, and I'm sure he'll have a few offers of employment!!!!

He won't have a hard time, but it will certainly change his life, for better or worse???

[Johnny#5]

Thats right...he may get charged but the sentence will be hardly anything - and rightly so....I've heard of drunk-ass, un-remorseful drivers who have had less.

[Gino Under]

What a truly sad story.

Criminal negligence would be fairly easy to prove in court.
This pilot, flying this aircraft with damage to its wing, which is tied to the deceased persons head who's head injury caused his death is a fairly simple connect-the-dots for the RCMP.

this was a criminally negligent act (as defined in the Criminal Code) causing death.

Now, it's just a question of a trial, providing guilt based evidence and awaiting the sentence.

Have Transport Canada charged this pilot with CARs violations or suspended his licence?

This could all go down hill at a great rate.

Very sad indeed.

Gino Under

[MUSKEG]

I think everyone should go to a mirror, look into it and IF you can declare I have never : A) driven while impaired, remember it's .05 now, or one or maybe two drinks, B) willingly choose to speed, C) giggled the numbers to make it work, D) deliberately defied the law because 1) it doesn't apply to you, 2) It's written for the less skilled etc etc. then you can weigh in on this subject. Why are those of you who are so addiment that the law be carried out to the fullest against this young man not on your soap boxes shouting about the needless carnage that happens on our roads every day? Is not most of it caused by negligence? When you start to do that then I will put weight on what you say here.

[HS-748 2A]

worst case is he'll spend a few months in a Federal camp, 6 months in a halfway house - with weekends at home - and parole.

A sentence 2 years, less one day would be served in a provincial / territorial jail; not the Federal Penitentairy. Federal pen is for sentences greater than two years.

'48

[Heliian]

A senseless, preventable tragedy. My condolences to the family and friends.

Legally, both men were involved in an act that was negligent and illegal. One person was killed so the other one was charged with causing death. ex. two people in seperate cars racing, they crash and one dies, the other is charged with criminal negligence causing death, it's pretty straightforward. Except, the person on the runway could have been charged with interfereing with the operation of an aircraft.

I don't think the pilot will be sentenced to 2 years, I predict 3 months if any time.

[Doc]

The very fact that some of you, would in ANY way defend this imbecile, is the very reason I don't post here anymore. Grow up people. This guy KILLED somebody. Some of you call this an "accident"??? Obviously, you folks still have your collective heads up your asses.
And. I'm out of here....still.

[The Old Fogducker]

Well said Doc.

As per the hit song from the 1970's TV show "Welcome Back Kotter," ... welcome back Doc .... and sorry to see you fade into obscurity again, but I sure understand it....amazing isn't it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVS3WNt7yRU

The "oh jeepers, accidents just happen, leave the poor guy alone" crowd are enough to leave one speechless.

I'm not in favour of grabbing a new rope and heading for the nearest oak tree that has good sturdy branches and stringing the guy up, but letting this type of event go by without investigation and possible prosecution sends the wrong message to the rest of us as to the ultimate outcome of this sad event.

Let the Judge decide the matter....and then the rest of us learn from this, and never repeat it in the industry again.

The Old Fogducker

[ilovelamp]

And. I'm out of here....still.

Im very much ok with this.... still.

[aviator2010]

I read the Meacleans artical on William, and it said he was on the ramp not the runway taking photo's. Does anyone know if this is true?

[The Other Kind]

the very reason I don't post here anymore

Sorry to burst that ego of yours, but the fact that you don't post here anymore is a HUGE plus to this forum. Just sayin'....

This pilot flew low enough to hit someone in the head with the wing of his aircraft. This goes beyond bad judgment, and not because he was 'unlucky' enough to kill someone. We can not accept this type of behaviour, whether a life is lost or not.

[Johnny#5]

"We cannot accept this type of behaviour..." ????

...who the hell are you?!? (and who cares?)

[Gino Under]

MUSKEG

Stupidity goes on all around us everyday.
Your remarks are noble and to an extent, naieve. Unfortunately, while you are right in what you say, the reality IS, we have to be caught committing an offence and where criminal charges are concerned, you have to prove INTENT.
In this case, while I am not familiar with the details, intent was there and a death did result.

Gino Under

[bizjets101]

Low flying planes . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lCnUyv0uMM 1 injured . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2uZF9bUJxw 1 left swearing . . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavalese_c ... r_disaster US Marines acquitted.

[Ascender7162]

I read the Meacleans artical on William, and it said he was on the ramp not the runway taking photo's. Does anyone know if this is true?

yes he was on the ramp not far from where Norhtwright parks there 207 in good hope. And before anyone asks no thats not a guess

[MUSKEG]

Gino. Your post infers that it's not a crime unless you are caught. Now who is naieve. And just how do you think intent was there in this case? I don't believe that this young man for a minute thought this would happen. This is a stunt that went horribly wrong but it is not for me to decide the outcome of it. But I say again, If you have never yourself done something stupid and got away with it then you can comment. The margin between failure and getting away with it is sometimes a few seconds or a few inches.

[merlin]

What a sad sad waste of two lives!!!

When I worked up north I saw a lot of these stupid stunts from the old and young a like, fortunately most get away with it. However, you cant just say we have all done something stupid at one point or another and leave it at that. A young man has died, and there will be a price to be paid for this mistake.

[The Other Kind]

...who the hell are you?!? (and who cares?)

I'm not sure why my post got your panties in a knot...but I'll gladly explain.

I'm a pilot that started out flying with a little too much exuberance. I loved every aspect of it...including buzz jobs. I had an instructor that would encourage them, and I was buzzing the field during solo flights long before I was licenced. I knew it was illegal, but never really considered it unsafe. It's almost like we consider it a right of passage, at least that's how I felt about it back then. It wasn't until I worked in the industry for a few years that I realized how incredibly stupid and selfish those actions were. What seemed cool at the time was really putting a black mark on my decision making, and the industry as a whole. I'm embarrassed about it now and wish I had acted differently.

If I see someone acting this way, I pull them aside and explain my experiences and how I feel about them now. It's easy to come on here and be 'holier than thou'...but very few would actually come out from behind their AvCanada handles and address the situation face to face. We need to change that. But you've already stated 'who cares?'...so I guess we know what camp you're in.

[Brown Bear]

...who the hell are you?!? (and who cares?)

I'm not sure why my post got your panties in a knot...but I'll gladly explain.

I'm a pilot that started out flying with a little too much exuberance. I loved every aspect of it...including buzz jobs. I had an instructor that would encourage them, and I was buzzing the field during solo flights long before I was licenced. I knew it was illegal, but never really considered it unsafe. It's almost like we consider it a right of passage, at least that's how I felt about it back then. It wasn't until I worked in the industry for a few years that I realized how incredibly stupid and selfish those actions were. What seemed cool at the time was really putting a black mark on my decision making, and the industry as a whole. I'm embarrassed about it now and wish I had acted differently.

If I see someone acting this way, I pull them aside and explain my experiences and how I feel about them now. It's easy to come on here and be 'holier than thou'...but very few would actually come out from behind their AvCanada handles and address the situation face to face. We need to change that. But you've already stated 'who cares?'...so I guess we know what camp you're in.

Who the Hell are you, and who cares?

So, basically, you used to be a moron, and you have seen the folly of your ways. Should we bow down to your infantile wisdom?

I hope they stick this guy in a cell for a very LONG time. He deserves it. And some of you childish twits need to be taught a lesson. Just my opinion.

[Johnny#5]

Buzzing things with an airplane has always been done and always will...this will change nothing.

Some people (very very few) take it too far and things like this happen, and the courts will deal with it. The vast majority of 'buzz jobs' are not dangerous, and I have done many and don't consider any of them "stupid and selfish".

[The Other Kind]

So, basically, you used to be a moron, and you have seen the folly of your ways. Should we bow down to your infantile wisdom?

I suppose you could put it that way. Call me names all you like, it doesn't change the fact that buzzing is an accepted practice (see the post right below yours) and in some cases is actually encouraged. I'm relating my experience, I never asked for praise or anyone to 'bow to my infantile wisdom'.

some of you childish twits need to be taught a lesson

We agree, so why the bitterness??

[Brown Bear]

Buzzing things with an airplane has always been done and always will...this will change nothing.

Some people (very very few) take it too far and things like this happen, and the courts will deal with it. The vast majority of 'buzz jobs' are not dangerous, and I have done many and don't consider any of them "stupid and selfish".

Very true.
There will always be drunk drivers.
Putting a drunk driver in jail for killing someone, won't change a thing either.
And.....the "vast majority" of drunk drivers make it home safely.

Throwing a pilot in jail for killing someone is somehow different?
Because buzz jobs will continue?

This industry is festering with unhealthy, holier than thou attitudes. Always has been. Dangerous flying is just like dangerous driving. You kill someone, you should go to jail.

Here we have an aviation web site, where some of you are advocating buzz jobs as not "dangerous"? Simply amazing.

[ahramin]

If a couple buddies are out having fun driving far above the speed limit and the car crashes, killing the passenger, will the driver be charged with manslaughter?

[swordfish]

Do you realize just how close to the ground your wing has to be to hit an object that is 6 feet AGL...?

(That's right: close enough to wipe out your aircraft also.)

[Brown Bear]

If a couple buddies are out having fun driving far above the speed limit and the car crashes, killing the passenger, will the driver be charged with manslaughter?

The guy who died here wasn't a passenger. Big difference. Huge. If the driver in your scenario had killed a pedestrian, he sure as Hell would be charged. And convicted. Somehow, on this site, because it involves a PILOT, some think it's just an ACCIDENT! I call bull shit!. It's high time for pilots to take responsibility for their stupidity! In Court.


The guy in your scenario would have been charged with criminal negligence causing death.