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Helicopter pilot fined after hotel guest hit by parasol Helicopter pilot fined after hotel guest hit by parasol
(35 minutes later)
A hotel guest was injured by a parasol sent flying by the owner's helicopter, a court has heard.A hotel guest was injured by a parasol sent flying by the owner's helicopter, a court has heard.
Keith Richardson, owner of the Richardson Hotels group, was taking off from his hotel in Falmouth, Cornwall when the downdraft sent a parasol through the air.Keith Richardson, owner of the Richardson Hotels group, was taking off from his hotel in Falmouth, Cornwall when the downdraft sent a parasol through the air.
The 76-year-old, from Newton Abbot, Devon, admitted negligently causing an aircraft to endanger a person.The 76-year-old, from Newton Abbot, Devon, admitted negligently causing an aircraft to endanger a person.
He was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £1,104 costs by Bodmin magistrates.He was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £1,104 costs by Bodmin magistrates.
The incident happened at The Falmouth Hotel in August 2014.The incident happened at The Falmouth Hotel in August 2014.
In addition to The Falmouth Hotel, Richardson owns The Fowey Hotel in Fowey, The Metropole in Padstow and The Grand Hotel and The Grosvenor Hotel in Torquay.In addition to The Falmouth Hotel, Richardson owns The Fowey Hotel in Fowey, The Metropole in Padstow and The Grand Hotel and The Grosvenor Hotel in Torquay.
Alison Slater, for the prosecution brought by the Civil Aviation Authority, told the court there was "clearly an unacceptable standard of airmanship in this case".Alison Slater, for the prosecution brought by the Civil Aviation Authority, told the court there was "clearly an unacceptable standard of airmanship in this case".
She said awareness of downdraft was something people were taught about "on day one at pilot training school" and Richardson "ought to have been able to anticipate the risk".She said awareness of downdraft was something people were taught about "on day one at pilot training school" and Richardson "ought to have been able to anticipate the risk".
Two members of staff at the hotel were present and wearing yellow tabards when the Robinson R44 helicopter took off from the lawn of the hotel at about 3pm on 19 August last year.Two members of staff at the hotel were present and wearing yellow tabards when the Robinson R44 helicopter took off from the lawn of the hotel at about 3pm on 19 August last year.
The parasol "became inflated" by the downdraft and flew towards a 16-year-old girl on holiday with her family.The parasol "became inflated" by the downdraft and flew towards a 16-year-old girl on holiday with her family.
The girl was treated by paramedics for minor injuries to her shoulder area.The girl was treated by paramedics for minor injuries to her shoulder area.
The court heard Richardson had a previous conviction for operating a helicopter on a flight from The Metropole Hotel in Padstow without insurance. 'Naughty boy'
Richardson represented himself for the defence and said a gust of wind may have added to the downdraft to lift the parasol into the air.Richardson represented himself for the defence and said a gust of wind may have added to the downdraft to lift the parasol into the air.
Speaking outside the court he said: " I have been a naughty boy."
He said a "better checklist" was now used by hotel staff for helicopter take-offs and landings.He said a "better checklist" was now used by hotel staff for helicopter take-offs and landings.
The court heard Richardson had a previous conviction for operating a helicopter on a flight from The Metropole Hotel in Padstow without insurance.