The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has laid charges against Wanaka helicopter company The Alpine Group Ltd in relation to a crash in 2018 which killed three people. 

The company is facing two charges of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Pilot Nick Wallis, of Wanaka, Paul Hondelink, of Twizel (formerly Wanaka), and Scott Theobald, of Twizel, were all killed on Thursday October 18, 2018, when the Hughes 500 helicopter they were travelling in crashed just kilometres from the Wanaka Airport. 

The three men were on their way to Haast to take part in a DOC tahr cull when the crash occurred.

An interim report published by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) in late 2018 found evidence that a pair of over-trousers that had been packed in the cabin came out of the helicopter and became entangled in the tail rotor, and that the left rear door of the helicopter had opened and separated from the helicopter in flight. 

Further investigations by the commission are ongoing. 

The charges were brought against the company by the CAA in the Queenstown District Court. 

The CAA sought for three weeks to be set aside for a judge alone trial, and judge John Brandts-Giesen recused himself from the case because of family associations, the Otago Daily Times reported. 

Jonathan and Toby Wallis are directors of The Alpine Group Ltd, along with Murray Valentine and Angus Wilson.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of a fine of $1.5M and the trial will take place towards the end of the year.

PHOTO: Airwork (NZ) Ltd