Gold Coast chopper crash: Sea World Helicopters’ plans to return to the air

The operator of the choppers involved in the fatal collision above the Gold Coast Broadwater has revealed what steps it will be taking before getting back in the air. Find out what they said.

The operator of the two helicopters involved in the fatal collision above the Gold Coast Broadwater has revealed what steps it will be taking before getting back in the air.

It is not clear when Sea World Helicopters will begin flights again - but it intends to.

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) on Tuesday released its preliminary report in the mid-air crash which killed four soon after 2pm on January 2.

Those killed included pilot Ashley Jenkinson, and his passengers Sydney woman Vanessa Tadros and British couple Ron and Diane Hughes.

The report included a list of changes that Sea World Helicopters had planned to help increase chopper visibility.

Queensland Police and ATSB Officers recover the wreckage after after two helicopters collided near Sea World on the Gold Coast. Picture Scott Powick

Those changes included high-visibility paint on rotor blades, additional strobe lighting on helicopters, the introduction of helipad controllers who can provide traffic advice to pilots and use of live radar data displayed on an iPad in the cockpit.

A spokesman for Sea World Helicopters told the Bulletin on Wednesday those changes would be implemented before the company returned to the air.

“When Sea World Helicopters announces a date they will re-open we will provide a list of what has been done,” he said.

The spokesman said it was unknown when the flights would resume as they were still looking over the ATSB’s preliminary report.

The report also found that the pilot landing the chopper, Michael James, did not recall hearing the other pilot make a taxiing call.

The ATSB stressed that did not mean the call had not been made.

March 7: Chopper company reacts to fatal collision report

The operators of the choppers involved in the fatal helicopter crash over the Gold Coast broadwater are taking their time to review the preliminary report into the collision.

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) on Tuesday released their preliminary report into the fatal crash which killed four people after the midair collision about 2pm on January 2.

Those killed included pilot Ashley Jenkinson, Sydney woman Vanessa Tadros and British couple Ron and Diane Hughes.

The devastating scene of a Helicopter crash between two Sea World Helicopters just outside the tourist park on a sandbank in the Southport Broadwater.. Picture Glenn Hampson

The injured included Geelong woman Winnie de Silva and her 9-year-old son Leon, Ms Tadros’ 10-year-old son Nicholas and pilot Michael James.

Following the release of the report, Sea World Helicopters director John Orr-Campbell said they were in possession of the report and would take “the right amount of time and due care” to review the findings.

“The release of the ATSB interim report is another reminder of the tragic loss of life suffered that day,” he said.

The choppers were operated by Sea World Helicopters. Picture Scott Powick

“All at Sea World Helicopters pay their deepest respect to Vanessa Tadros, Diane and Ron Hughes, our friend and late chief Sea World Helicopters pilot Ash Jenkinson, their families, and those who suffered physically and mentally in the accident.

“Our special thoughts go to Winnie De Silva and her son Leon as well Nicholas Tadros, who is still in hospital recovering from his horrific injuries, and his father Simon who has been by his side all along.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said it was “pleasing” to see the ATSB had progressed its probe so quickly.

Emergency services at the scene of a Helicopter crash between two Sea World Helicopters just outside the tourist park on a sandbank in the Southport Broadwater. Picture Glenn Hampson

“It’s pleasing to see that the ATSB has moved swiftly and with transparency in their preliminary investigation into this tragic accident,” he said.

“Our thoughts remain very much with the families who were caught up in this tragedy.

“It is vitally important nothing like this ever happens again.”

The final report into the crash is not expected until the second half of 2024.

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