Helicopter owner-pilot arrested for illegal flight and landing in New Taipei City
The owner-pilot of a Robinson R22 helicopter that was spotted landing and taking off in Tamsui District, New Taipei City last month was arrested today, October 9, and the helicopter has been seized.
See Previous story: CAA investigating illegal helicopter landing in residential district of New Taipei City.
Chen Yao-ting (陳耀庭), the 59-year-old owner of a freight company, was arrested in Guishan District, Taoyuan City, and transferred to the Shilin District Prosecutor’s Office, after an investigation involving the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA), and police units in New Taipei City and Taoyuan City.
After Chen’s arrest, the helicopter was seized from a shed in Guishan District and taken to Songshan Airport in Taipei City.
According to the investigation, Chen, allegedly took off from a location in Guishan District, Taoyuan City on the morning of September 13, and flew along the coast to Tamsui District. Chen landed the unregistered R22 helicopter in Tamsui District, where a friend named Tsai boarded the aircraft. Chen then flew back to Taoyuan City.
Prosecutors questioned Chen, Tsai, and another witness, before charging Chen with offences against the Civil Aviation Act. Chen was released after paying an NT$500,000 bail.
According to reports, Chen purchased the helicopter around 12 years ago.
It is not the first time Mr Chen has been charged with offences against the Civil Aviation Act.
In 2008, Chen flew the same R22 helicopter from New Taipei City to Yilan County, where he was forced to land due to adverse weather.
After landing in a hotel carpark in Jiaoxi Township’s hot springs resort area, Chen was arrested and subsequently sentenced to a fixed-term of two months imprisonment commutable to an NT$60,000 fine.
Chen chose to pay the fine.
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