Report finds helicopter pilot in crash that killed five was ‘spatially disorientated’ after last light

A 2019 NSW helicopter crash that killed three Queenslanders occurred when the pilot became disoriented after nightfall.

A 2019 helicopter crash that killed five people, including three Queenslanders, occurred when the pilot became disoriented and lost control after nightfall.

The Bell UH-1H crashed near Anna Bay, NSW, on September 6, killing five, including pilot and owner David Kerr, with a report finding the pilot likely became spatially disorientated and lost control of the helicopter after dark.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau had previously said weather conditions were a primary lead.

David Kerr, Queensland helicopter pilot involved in a fatal crash off Anna Bay in NSW. Confirmed by Ava Benny Morrison.

In a statement, the authority noted that last light for Anna Bay, north of Newcastle, was at 6.01pm, and that data from the helicopter documented a rapid descent at 6.13pm.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood said the pilot lacked the correct training and qualifications and the helicopter was not equipped for flying in the dark.
“The ATSB found that the pilot continued to fly after last light without the appropriate training and qualifications, and then into dark night conditions that provided no visual cues. That significantly reduced the pilot’s ability to maintain control of the helicopter, which was not equipped for night flight” Mr Hood said.

Wreckage of the helicopter was subsequently located in about 30 metres of water, approximately five kilometres southwest of Anna Bay, almost three weeks after the accident.

The flight departed from Brisbane’s Archerfield Airport, bound for Sydney (Bansktown Airport).

After refuelling at Coffs Harbour, the helicopter departed for Bankstown at 4.48pm.
Investigations say this was insufficient time to complete the flight and the pilot’s decision to continue regardless was from “self-induced” pressure.

“A pilot’s decision to continue their flight when faced with reducing visual cues may be influenced by self-induced pressure to complete their flight,” Mr Hood said.
The other victims in the crash were Queenslanders Jamie Ogden and Grant Kuhnemann, and Sydney married couple Jocelyn Villanueva and Gregory Miller

Originally published as Report finds helicopter pilot in crash that killed five was ‘spatially disorientated’ after last light