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CANADA: Newfoundland helicopter pilot charged with impaired operation at North Bay airport

Police got a tip of a helicopter operating in an erratic manner
Jack Garland Airport
North Bay's Jack Garland Airport

NORTH BAY - We often see reports of impaired drivers on our roads, but we haven't seen this before!

Last night police made an arrest for impaired operation of a helicopter at North Bay's Jack Garland Airport.

Shortly after 7 p.m. North Bay Police responded to the airport after a report of a helicopter operating in "an erratic and dangerous manner."

Police say the pilot, who was the only occupant of the helicopter, made an unscheduled stop at the airport in North Bay.

When police arrived the helicopter had landed in an unapproved area of the airport.

"Police interaction with the driver resulted in his arrest for impaired operation. The accused later refused to provide a suitable sample of his breath," says a NBPS release.

This investigation has resulted in the arrest of a 56-year-old man from Newfoundland who is charged with;

  • Impaired operation
  • Refusal to provide a sample

The accused, whose name was not released, remains in custody pending a bail hearing at the North Bay Courthouse.

North Bay Police say that any operator of a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft that functions by any power other than muscular power is subject to the impaired driving laws in Canada.