Local News in Brief : Pilot in Near-Collision Is a No-Show in Court
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a pilot whose plane nearly collided with another small plane over Pacoima last month and then failed to appear for his arraignment on drunk-flying charges, authorities said.
Ronald Lichnovsky, 44, of North Hollywood had been scheduled to face charges of reckless flying and flying under the influence of alcohol, both misdemeanors, in Ventura Municipal Court Monday, said Donald Coleman, a Ventura County assistant district attorney.
On Jan. 24, Lichnovsky took off in his single-engine plane from Whiteman Airport in Pacoima and allegedly flew into the path of another small plane, forcing the other pilot to dive 400 feet to avoid a collision, Coleman said.
When Lichnovsky landed several hours later at Ventura County Airport in Oxnard, he failed a field sobriety test and was arrested, said Oxnard Police Sgt. Fred Berry.
Lichnovsky’s blood alcohol level was measured at .18, more than four times the .04 legal limit for pilots set by the Federal Aviation Administration, said Coleman.
After Lichnovsky failed to appear at the hearing, a bench warrant was issued and bail set at $10,000, Coleman said.
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