A man who drove his car off the end of Gisborne Airport's runway faces a manslaughter charge over the death of his front-seat passenger.
The 37-year-old driver, whose name was suppressed when he appeared in the Gisborne District Court yesterday, crashed after allegedly speeding along the runway early on September 22.
Detective
Dean Story said Ross Burgess, aged 38, of Levin, died when the car reached the end of the tarmac, slid across grass and another road and landed in a paddock.
Police did not believe Mr Burgess was wearing a seatbelt.
Three other people in the vehicle, including the driver, were injured.
The driver also faces two charges of careless driving causing injury while under the influence of alcohol.
The accused, a Gisborne resident, did not enter any pleas yesterday.
Judge Neil MacLean remanded him on bail for a pre-depositions hearing this month.
Detective Story would not comment on how the car gained access to the runway.
