"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
...

I also wonder by what authority the sheriff was authorized to order the
aircraft down off-airport.

If he perceives an emergency, he may be no more bound to get FAA
authorization than the military might be to intercept a hostile aircraft.

I'd be interested in seeing the law that leads you to that conclusion.

Me too. Notice I said "may."

Flying under a bridge and putting citizens at risk probably qualifies.

Who judges if citizens were put at risk?

Well, if I buzz an airshow in a C-152, who do you suppose judges if
citizens were put at risk?

What regulation specifically forbids flying under bridges?

Were there people on the bridge? Is it (public) property? If so,
14CFR91.13a:

"No person may operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner
so as to
endanger the life or property of another.

Also, was the landing on the sand bar "forced" or would the helicopter
have
followed to the nearest airfield.

The news account used the word 'force.'

Is the news account suddenly authoritative on aviation terminology?


-c