Families of Mt Disappointment chopper crash victims sue charter company Microflite

Heartbroken loved ones of four passengers killed in the Mt Disappointment chopper disaster claim they have been left with serious trauma-related disorders after the tragedy.

Doug Woodford, brother of Linda Woodford, is among a group of loved ones suing charter company Microflite over the Mt Disappointment helicopter crash. Picture: Jason Edwards

Family members of four passengers killed in a helicopter crash on Mt Disappointment have launched legal action against the charter company that operated the flight.

Pilot Dean Neal, 32, and passengers Paul Troja, 73, Ian Perry, 59, Linda Woodford, 50, and Nicholas Vasudeva, 53, were killed when their Microflite chopper flying from Melbourne to Ulupna in the state’s north crashed in thick cloud in March 2022.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau report earlier this year found Mr Neal knew they would be flying in bad weather before departing Melbourne, but he was only qualified to fly in conditions that allowed them to see where the aircraft was going.

The aftermath of the fatal helicopter crash at Mt Disappointment in March 2022. Picture: Nine News

Loved ones of the deceased passengers including Mr Troja’s wife Anne Troja, Mr Vasudeva’s wife Dawn Young, Mr Perry’s wife Brooke Perry and Ms Woodford’s brothers Doug and Malcolm Woodford are now suing Microflite for loss and damages.

In documents filed to the Supreme Court last month, the group made separate claims for financial loss, trauma-related disorders and medical expenses.

Doug Woodford previously told the Herald Sun his sister would still be alive had Mr Neal been properly trained.

“Had she known that they couldn’t fly in those conditions, then she might have opted out,” he said.

“They shouldn’t have even been there.”

The brother of Linda Woodford previously said she would still be alive had the helicopter pilot been properly trained. Picture: Supplied

Ian Perry was among the group killed in the horror flight. Picture: supplied

The ATSB report, released nearly two years after the doomed flight, recommended the Civil Aviation Safety Authority tighten requirements for pilots.

Under current regulation, pilots can be qualified to fly under visual flight rules which require good weather that allows them to see where the aircraft is going or instrument flight rules which allows them to use technology to fly through clouds or at night.

The report found that Mr Neal, who was flying in convoy with another chopper as part of a private charter, did not have instrument flight training or experience, nor was he required to.

Sydney businessman and lawyer Nicholas Vasudeva was also killed in the disaster. Picture: supplied

A report earlier this year found pilot Dean Neal was only qualified to fly in clear weather conditions. Picture: Supplied

Mr Neal’s helicopter was following the other aircraft when it passed through cloud cover and crashed into a large tree at Mt Disappointment, about 60km north of Melbourne, on the morning of March 31, 2022.

“The pilots of the two helicopters selected a route that was forecast to be unsuitable for visual

flight. This was based on an incorrect assessment of the weather before and while in-flight,” the ATSB report states.

“The pilots of both helicopters continued flight towards deteriorating cloud and into reduced

visual cues, below the required visual meteorological conditions. These conditions were

consistent with the area forecast for the Mount Disappointment area.”

The report called on the CASA to require all pilots with passengers be trained to fly in tougher conditions.

In response CASA said the measures were “expensive fixes” that the industry had rejected.