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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - A Fort Simpson man pleaded not guilty last week to interfering with a pilot during a flight from Fort Simpson to Yellowknife.

Stephen Waugh was not in court in Yelllowknife but was represented by lawyer Stephen Shabala.

The charges stem from an incident on board a Summit Air Dornier 228 turboprop plane on Nov. 6. Police say an intoxicated passenger harassed and threatened the crew as the aircraft was making its approach to Yellowknife airport and the pilot was punched in the arm. There were nine passengers and two crew members aboard the aircraft.

Waugh has been charged under the federal Aeronautics Act with intentionally interfering with the performance of a crew member in flight.

Waugh had also been charged with mischief and endangering the safety of an aircraft under the Criminal Code of Canada.

He pleaded guilty to mischief on Feb. 23, but the endangering the safety of an aircraft charge was withdrawn on March 17 because Crown counsel Janice Walsh said the Aeronautics Act charge was a better fit. She said there is a different burden of proof with the federal act.

Walsh said the Crown would be proceeding on a summary charge, which involves a lesser penalty than an indictment. If found guilty of the summary offence, Waugh could be fined up to $25,000 or imprisoned for up to 18 months, or both.

Section 7.41 (1.a) of the Aeronautics Act states "no person shall engage in any behaviour that endangers the safety or security of an aircraft in flight or of persons on board an aircraft in flight by intentionally interfering with the performance of the duties of any crew member."

Waugh's trial is set for June 25 in Yellowknife, and is scheduled for an entire day, as Walsh said there are many witnesses expected to testify.