Pacific Blue pilot denies careless flying

A Pacific Blue pilot has denied careless flying charges after he was accused of breaching aviation regulations during a late takeoff from Queenstown a year ago. File photo / Brett Phibbs

The Pacific Blue pilot accused of breaching aviation regulations during a late takeoff from Queenstown a year ago has denied careless flying charges against him.

The 52-year-old pilot from Papakura in south Auckland, had name suppression when he appeared in Queenstown District Court today.

He entered not guilty pleas to charges of operating a Boeing 737 in a careless manner that caused unnecessary danger to persons, passengers and crew and operating an aircraft in a careless manner, the Southland Times reported.

The Civil Aviation Authority brought the charges against the pilot after Flight DJ89, with 140 people aboard, left Queenstown for Sydney on June 22 at dusk.

Queenstown is surrounded by mountainous terrain and has no radar or runway lights. Airlines operating out of Queenstown must depart no later than 30 minutes before twilight so they have time to return and land if anything happens.

Pacific Blue was not charged.

The pilot was remanded to appear again on July 11.

- NZPA