Helicopter Pilot Arrested

On Friday, June 12th, rangers were on patrol at a large wakeboard competition being held on Lake Powell when they saw a helicopter approach and hover within 500 feet of six beached houseboats, 15 ski boats, several personal watercraft, 20 to 25 swimmers and approximately 100 persons on shore. Several passengers then jumped from the helicopter into the water, after which the helicopter landed atop a nearby houseboat. Ranger Jared St. Clair contacted the 33-year-old pilot, out of St. George, Utah, and subsequently arrested him for illegal air delivery of passengers and creating a hazardous condition.  Since an initial warning in 2003, the pilot has received four citations concerning the operation of his helicopter in the park, including two last year.  He was scheduled to appear in federal magistrate’s court yesterday.