Sea World crash report reveals traces of cocaine in dead pilot’s system

The family of the helicopter pilot killed in the Sea World crash disaster have responded after a new report revealed he had traces of cocaine in his system.

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A new report into the Sea World helicopter crash has revealed the pilot who died in the disaster had traces of cocaine in his system but that it was unlikely to have impaired his flying motor skills.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau report was handed down on Tuesday, on the 12-month anniversary of the horror collision between two joy flight choppers.

Killed in the crash were Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Ash Jenkinson, British newlyweds Ron and Diane Hughes and Sydney woman Vanessa Tadros.

Mrs Tadros’ 10-year-old son Nicholas suffered critical injuries and had his right leg amputated, while Victorian tourist Winnie de Silva and her 9-year-old son Leon were seriously injured.

Pilot Ashley Jenkinson died in the crash in January 2023.

The seven occupants of the other helicopter all miraculously survived with little more than cuts and bruises after pilot Michael James managed to land safely on a sandbank in the Southport Broadwater opposite Sea World.

ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said a toxicology report on Mr Jenkinson found “a positive result for low levels of cocaine metabolites”.

“A forensic pharmacologist engaged by the ATSB has stated that the very low concentrations of these metabolites suggest exposure was not likely to have occurred in the 24 hours prior to the accident, and it is unlikely there would have been impairment of the pilot’s psychomotor skills,” he said.

Sea World Helicopters pilot Ash Jenkinson and partner Kosha Richardson-Johnson.

“It is important to note while this is a substantive and comprehensive interim report, the ATSB is yet to make formal findings as to the contributing factors that led to this accident as we are continuing our analysis of that evidence.”

Mr Mitchell said ATSB has undertaken extensive work to understand and recreate the crash.

“This work has included interviews with key personnel and witnesses, the examination of both helicopters, maintenance logs, and post-mortem information, a review of industry understanding of seat belt fitment, and analysis of ADS-B and radar flight tracking information, CTAF recordings, and video imagery,” he said.

“A large amount of the evidence gathered through this work is detailed in today’s interim report, and investigation into and analysis of many of these areas is ongoing.”

Mr Mitchell said the investigation moving forward would consider whether any systemic factors contributed to, or increased risk, in the accident.

“This will include consideration of the design of the operating environment and operating procedures, the onboarding and implementation of aircraft, change management, and the regulatory environment and input,” he said.

The ATSB’s final report is expected later this year.

The report comes on the first anniversary of the crash.

“This was a tragic accident, and it is our responsibility to make findings and drive safety actions, which reduce the likelihood of a similar occurrence in the future,” Mr Mitchell said.

The interim report notes several steps which have already been taken in response to the accident.

After reviewing its processes and procedures, Sea World Helicopters has implemented a new ‘pad boss’ traffic advisory role, added air traffic systems to each of its helicopters’ avionic systems, increased communication protocols, and taken steps to make its helicopters more visible.

Separately, the ATSB issued a safety advisory notice in September targeting aircraft lifejacket manufacturers and national aviation certification authorities.

“During this investigation, our investigators identified a potentially common lack of understanding in the broader helicopter tourism community about how constant wear lifejackets should be worn in conjunction with seatbelts,” Mr Mitchell explained.

“This correlated with a discovery that some passengers’ seatbelts were not fitted correctly in this accident, in part due to interference from their lifejackets – although we have not attributed this to the tragic outcomes in this case.”

The helicotpers on the Gold Coast Broadwater in the immediate aftermath of the January crash. Picture: Scott Powick

The ATSB report noted toxicology tests indicated Mr Jenkinson had likely used cocaine up to four days before the crash but there were “no signs of chronic stimulant use”

“Cocaine is an illicit drug and can have harmful effects on pilot performance,” the report said.

“Effects include risk-taking, inattentiveness and poor impulse control. The indication of exposure to cocaine is highlighted as the effects of cocaine and post-cocaine exposure increase risk in aviation activities.

“However, although it is unlikely (Mr Jenkinson) would have had any psychomotor skill impairment on the day of the accident, it is not known whether post-cocaine exposure effects of the drug which can include fatigue, depression and inattention had any effect on the performance of the pilot.”

In a statement, Mr Jenkinson’s still-shattered family pleaded that the “negligible” drug findings not tarnish his memory and said there were “multiple contributing factors to this terrible accident”.

“On the anniversary of the accident, we acknowledge the ongoing pain and grief of all the other families involved. They remain in our thoughts daily,” they said in a statement.

One of the helicopters is salvaged after the crash. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Scott Powick

“We welcome today’s release of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau interim findings into the January 2nd 2023 accident. It is important for the people deeply affected, as we have been, to have a greater understanding of the multiple contributing factors to this terrible accident.

“We wish to address the findings of Ashley’s autopsy. We understand from the autopsy a negligible level of cocaine metabolites was found in Ashley’s system.

“The interim report noted ‘the very low concentrations of these metabolites suggest use was not likely to have been within 24 hours prior to his death and it is unlikely there would have been impairment of his psychomotor skills.

“The examining forensic pathologist reported that there were ‘no signs of chronic stimulant use’. As a family, we know there will be significant attention to this finding. We request people not be distracted by this one element of the interim report or this be the sole focus of the report.

Pilot Michael James was taken to hospital after the crash.

“It seems clear there were multiple issues with communication infrastructure, visibility, congestion and safety protocols identified among others. We know the operators have already undertaken reviews and changes since this event. We are grateful that these measures have been put in place to help prevent any future tragic accidents from occurring. “We understand operational factors around communication and safety processes remain to be further investigated before the report is finalised.

“We urge that this finding does not tarnish the memory of Ashley, the person he was, the friend he was and all the hours and days of good deeds he did during his lifetime.

“After the accident, there was an outpouring of gratitude for the public and private acts of kindness and support Ashley showed throughout his life. We ask this not to be forgotten in today’s report.

“We will not be making any further comments on this interim report. We want to express our gratitude to the ATSB for their care and thoroughness in their investigation.”

The ATSB report said Mr James had consented to drug and alcohol tests after he was taken to hospital for injuries but they were not carried out.