Exercise Talisman Sabre: Human remains found in search for military chopper crash victims

The Australian Defence Force has confirmed human remains have been found near where a chopper crashed during exercises in the Whitsundays.

Human remains have been found near where an MRH-90 Taipan military helicopter crashed in the Whitsundays last Friday night during Exercise Talisman Sabre, the Australian Defence Force has confirmed.

ADF Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton confirmed the discovery on Thursday, with the debris field described consistent with a “catastrophic, high-impact” incident.

Lt Gen Bilton said the helicopter’s cockpit and major sections of the fuselage had been located 40m below the surface.

“Sadly I can confirm unidentified human remains have also been observed in this location by the remote-operated underwater vehicle,” he said.

“Due to the nature of the debris field, positive identified location of the remains is unlikely to occur until we recover more of the wreckage.

“The army has spoken with the families of the missing soldiers and is providing them with support, we will continue to support the families and other families who have reached out.”

Corporal Alex Naggs

Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Laycock

Those missing presumed dead were pilots Lieutenant Max Nugent and Captain Dan Lyon, along with Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Laycock and Corporal Alex Naggs.

Lt Gen Bilton said in the next 24 hours HMAS Adelaide would hand over to ADV Reliant to incorporate more specific rescue equipment on the vessel.

“While we continue with the recovery as best we can, poor weather conditions have continued to impact our search effort,” he said.

“The weather is expected to remain challenging until mid-next week.

“The conditions have been quite difficult both underwater and above the water, and on the surface and the Whitsundays is renowned for significant current so the team are working through those and as you can see we are making progress.”

He said all communications had been “normal” before the aircraft impacted the water near Lindeman Island.

The MRH-90’s black box had not been located.

“It is important to collect as much of the debris as we can so we can fully understand how this occurred,” Lt Gen Bilson said.

“It is a difficult task and we’ll do our absolute best to find it, and as you know that black box is critical to helping us understand what has taken place.”

Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent

Captain Dan Lyon

He said it was a normal flight and all the communications were normal before the aircraft impacted the water near Lindeman Island.

Since the incident the troubled MRH-90 has been paused, Mr Bilton said they were working at what alternate options might be available.

“We have to wait until investigation outcomes are made before we can make a decision about MRH-90 – we are just working solutions,” he said.

“We have checked with the civil authorities who would normally support and they are comfortable at this stage with alternate plans we have in place.

Lt Gen Bilton said he was devastated by the incident.

“I’m devastated and I’m distanced from the actual gentleman that have been lost and I can assure you that in the units it is having a significant impact on them,” he said.

“We are making sure that we can provide the psychological support and the support for their wellbeing that is necessary.

“Sixth aviation regiments come together, I’m confident their commanders are working hard to work through the challenges they confront in losing their mates.”

Australian Defence Force Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton speaks to the media on Thursday. Picture: Dan Peled/NCA NewsWire

A fresh crew has bolstered what is now day seven of the operation to recover the military helicopter crew lost off the Whitsundays.

More than 800 personnel are involved in the search for four Australian Defence Force soldiers who were on board the Taipan when it crashed.

Royal Australian Navy sailors from HMAS Huon have been conducting search operations in the vicinity of Lindeman Island.

HMAS Huon is a Huon class mine-hunter coastal, with underwater sensor, sonar detection, clearance diving and remotely-operated vehicle capabilities.

Exercise Talisman Sabre has been suspended in the Whitsundays and it has also seemingly been wrapped up at nearby Midge Point at the northernmost tip of the Mackay region.

There had been multiple troops set up at Midge Point for a three-day training operation with amphibious equipment brought ashore last week.

Royal Australian Navy sailors from HMAS Huon conduct search operations in the vicinity of Lindeman Island.

The helicopter’s tail section is recovered at the weekend. Picture: Michaela Harlow