New Zealand Men Face Manslaughter Charges

Two New Zealand men are to appear in court next month on manslaughter charges stemming from a fatal August 2005 Robinson R22 crash that accident investigators say was caused by improper maintenance. Under New Zealand law, the names of those charged are being withheld. They are to appear Oct. 11 for a hearing. New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority investigators concluded the R22 crashed because its tail-rotor drive shaft had been assembled incorrectly during maintenance by unlicensed mechanics and two licensed mechanics failed to prevent the aircraft from being released for flight. It crashed on its second flight out of maintenance, killing the pilot and seriously injuring the passenger. More