Man illegally lands helicopter in Grand Teton National Park, then picnics, rangers say
A man has been cited after he was accused of illegally landing his helicopter on a lakeshore in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, rangers said.
The man landed his helicopter inside the park at “Moran Bay on the west shore of Jackson Lake,” where rangers found him picnicking with another person on June 24, the national park said in a July 10 Facebook post.
The park said the pilot, a Colorado man, violated Federal Aviation Administration regulations, leading to two misdemeanor charges that carry fines up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail.
“The unauthorized landing of helicopters is prohibited on the lands and waters within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park in order to protect wildlife and other natural resources and to preserve the visitor experience,” rangers said.
Four months prior, the pilot was cited for a separate FAA violation, wherein he flew an aircraft “below minimum safe altitude” in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado, according to rangers. He was ordered to pay a $530 fine.
The man is expected to appear in court in August, rangers said.
This story was originally published July 10, 2023 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Man illegally lands helicopter in Grand Teton National Park, then picnics, rangers say."
