Pilot who ditched in Bass Strait denies flying recklessly
Pilot who ditched ultra light plane in Bass Strait denies flying recklessly
By Laura Beavis
Updated about an hour ago
Newcastle pilot Shayd Hector stands in front an ultralight plane owned by instructor Eugene Reid.
PHOTO: Shayd Hector and his passenger were rescued after ditching in Bass Strait. (Facebook)
MAP: Launceston 7250
The pilot of an ultra-light plane that ditched in Bass Strait in 2013 has denied flying recklessly and endangering his passenger.
Shayd Hector, of Tingira Heights in New South Wales, pleaded not guilty to the reckless operation of an aircraft, flying without a licence and piloting an aircraft after having consumed alcohol within eight hours before departure.
Launceston magistrates court heard the offences allegedly took place near Bridport on October 28, 2013, endangering the life of Hector's passenger, Joel Nelson.
The pair were rescued from the ocean near Waterhouse Island off the coast of north-east Tasmania in the hours after their plane crashed into the sea.
They had been en route to Newcastle and told the media at the time that engine trouble forced them to ditch the plane.
They said they felt lucky to be alive after surviving in the water for two hours by clinging to an inflatable mattress.
The men also feared they would be attacked by sharks.
They were uninjured apart from cuts and were treated for hypothermia.
Hector was not in court and entered the pleas through his lawyer.
He was ordered to return to court on June 17.
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