A civilian helicopter pilot was threatened with arrest in Western North Carolina while attempting to rescue people trapped by Hurricane Helene. The pilot in question responded to endless requests from people stuck in remote, mountainous areas who requested private aviation to come save them. Most, if not all, of these people have no possible way out of their homes to gather any resources aside from being rescued by a helicopter. Dozens, maybe hundreds, of private civilian pilots responded to such calls from the people. However, in some locations, local officials do not welcome these pilots. At least one pilot was threatened with arrest during the rescue of an elderly couple. Not much of an excuse for the arrest threat was given outside of the pilot “interfering” with the officials’ operation.
SOURCES:
Pilot flying rescue mission in Helene, NC rordered out, threatened with arrest
Hurricane Helene response galvanizes U.S. helicopter community – Vertical Mag
Helicopter pilot threatened with arrest after flying rescue missions in flood-ravaged NC
Volunteer Pilot Forced to Abandon Stranded Hurricane Victims After Being Threatened with Arrest for Helping Without Permission
Helicopter Pilot Helene: Goes Viral Documenting Rescues
North Carolina volunteers organize ‘private helicopter army’ to aid Helene victims – YouTube
Benny Johnson on X: “Kamala just told Americans they will be receiving $750 to those who ‘truly need it’ for hurricane relief.. We can send BILLIONS to Ukraine but Americans who have lost everything only get $750 dollars?! https://t.co/9fYUZuMfM9” / X
Concerned Citizen on X: “The Worst National Disaster in American History & Legacy Media Globally are barely covering it. https://t.co/zQzhdX0xBM” / X
