A preliminary investigation has found that a helicopter pilot involved in a mid-air collision on the Gold Coast, in which four people were killed, had cocaine in his system. However, the level of cocaine was unlikely to have affected his flying abilities, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
On Tuesday, the ATSB released an interim report on the collision that occurred on January 2, 2023, near Sea World on the Gold Coast. The report stated that the pilot of one helicopter was returning to a helipad with five passengers after a five-minute scenic flight.
A few minutes before 2pm, a second tour helicopter took off with six passengers and collided with the first aircraft. The second helicopter crashed onto a sandbar, resulting in the death of the pilot and three passengers, as well as serious injuries to three others.
The first helicopter was able to land on the sandbar, with three people suffering serious injuries and three suffering minor injuries.
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The purpose of the ATSB’s interim report is to provide an update on the crash investigation and it has not yet made formal findings regarding the contributing factors.
An autopsy of the deceased pilot of the second helicopter, Ashley Jenkinson, revealed no evidence of significant disease. However, a toxicology report showed a positive result for cocaine. The report stated that there were no signs of chronic stimulant use and the cocaine was unlikely to have been consumed within 24 hours of the crash. It could have been taken up to four days prior.
According to Angus Mitchell, the chief commissioner of the ATSB, the pilot had a “low concentration” of cocaine in his system. Mitchell stated that it is unlikely the pilot’s psychomotor skills would have been impaired.
The ATSB expects to complete its final report, which will include analysis, findings, and any recommended safety actions, between July and September 2024.
Mitchell emphasized the responsibility of the ATSB to make findings and implement safety actions that reduce the likelihood of similar accidents in the future. The interim report also highlighted the steps already taken by Sea World Helicopters, a separate business from the theme park, including improved air traffic control at the beachside heliport.
2024-01-01 22:21:36
Original from www.theguardian.com
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