The Just Culture is very different , albeit a good thing . It involves the person effectively handing himself in admitting a fault or mistake . As I read it this pilot was caught so that is not applicable . There is however a Good Samaritan law that covers some areas of immunity if you try to help someone in danger ....that would be more suitable . Of course you will always run the risk of making a mess of it and then causing another accident , but if you are doing something that you have done many times before without incident I would say the risks are well worth it .
Would I take off and have someone dangle a rope from the door of my helicopter into the water to save someone if they were about to go over a huge waterfall ?
Yes . Would I care about the legality ? No !! I think I speak for most on here....( he says hopefully )