‘Gearbox issue’, crew fatigue concerns raised at MRH-90 Taipan helicopter crash inquiry

An inquiry into a military helicopter crash off Queensland last year has heard of a known gearbox issue with the aircraft and fatigue concerns among the crew in the lead-up to the tragedy.

An inquiry into a military helicopter crash off Queensland last year has heard evidence of a known gearbox issue with the aircraft and fatigue concerns among the crew in the lead-up to the tragedy.

The MRH-90 Taipan, callsign Bushman 83, crashed near Lindeman Island in the Whitsundays during a pre-planned training exercise on of July 28, 2023.

The crash killed Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Laycock, and Corporal Alexander Naggs.

An inquiry into the crash began in late February, held further hearings in late April and early May, and the third round of hearings are being held this week in Brisbane.

One of the witnesses called on Wednesday was a highly-experienced helicopter pilot who had worked closely with Captain Lyon.

The witness, now a Major and referred to as “D20”, was questioned about fatigue on Wednesday and told the inquiry: “I wouldn’t say everyone was fatigued”.

“I would say the people who had been in key roles and been conducting those kinds of jobs for sustained periods – yes,” they said.

“We tried really hard to ensure the guys and girls in the troops weren’t feeling the full burden … and not that cumulative fatigue that some of us were experiencing.”

The inquiry also heard evidence about known issues with the Taipan gear boxes.

D20 said pilots of the helicopters were told if they were not comfortable flying, to advise their superiors.

“So that was an example of the aircrew being briefed about an issue and being given the opportunity to raise concerns about flying knowing that there was those issues with the gearbox in this instance,” Counsel Assisting the inquiry Flight Lieutenant Alexandra Rose asked the witness, who responded “yes”.

Queensland Police Service Senior Sergeant Ritchie Callaghan gave evidence on Wednesday. Picture: Supplied

The inquiry heard the helicopter’s impact was so severe that a “shockwave” ripped through the cockpit, causing severe fragmentation of the four airmen’s bodies.

Police scenes of crime office Senior Sergeant Ritchie Callaghan was part of the identification efforts immediately after the crash and said recovery efforts were hampered by the violent impact.

Asked why the process of identifying the victims took such a long time, he said: “Due to the fragmentation of the bodies unfortunately.”

“It’s one of those things, we do our utmost to get results as quickly as we can,” he said.

In his statement to the inquiry, Senior Sergeant Callaghan said he believed the crew were exposed to a “shockwave” upon impact with the water.

“That is in layman’s talk, but once the aircraft’s glass is broken, a shockwave – much like an explosion – went through the helicopter itself,” he said.

Senior Sergeant Callaghan said three small pieces of human remains were found in the water and recovered by the ADF soon after they reached the scene.

In the following days – July 31, August 2, and August 3 – Senior Sergeant Callaghan and his team travelled to the scene on the police vessel Damian Leeding and found further debris.

The inquiry continues.