Chopper’s ‘high-risk’ behaviour ruled factor in helicopter crash that claimed teenage girl’s life

A 12-year-old girl was killed when part of the rotator blades detached from the chopper causing it to plummet to the ground.

Investigators have found a chopper pilot’s “high-risk appetite” may have played a part in tragic crash that killed a young girl.

Amber Jess Millar, 12, boarded a Robinson R44 Raven I helicopter piloted by Broome tourism operator Troy Thomas for a joy flight in the area on July 4, 2020.

The aircraft crashed after breaking apart just moments after take off, with Amber and Mr Thomas killed while two other passengers – a woman in her 20s and another 12-year-old girl – were critically injured.

An investigation into the incident and Mr Thomas by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that he had undertaken “numerous instances of high risk operation” on previous flights.

“The ATSB concluded that the pilot’s high-risk appetite may have influenced the way the accident flight was conducted,” the report said.

Amber Jess Millar’s death was preventable, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and her parents.

The tail rotator gear box on the helicopter became overstressed and detached from the aircraft, causing it to crash.

Mr Thomas was not legally allowed to fly that particular helicopter at the time of the accident and did not apply the proper procedure when responding to a tail rotator emergency.

Problems were reported with the helicopter in the days before the crash by two separate pilots who felt vibrations through the its tail rotor pedals.

Amber’s mum watched as the helicopter took off and rushed to the wreckage to pull her daughter out, commencing CPR moments later to try and save her daughter’s life.

Despite her efforts, Amber’s injuries were too great and she died.

The girl's mother tried to save her by commencing CPR but her injuries were to severe.

She was killed when a Robinson R44 helicopter flown by tourism operator Troy Thomas crashed moments after taking off.

Engineers were called in to investigate, however, they only conducted tests on the ground and not in the air, which could have picked up that the tail rotor gear box was becoming overstressed, which was the cause of the crash.

“The unnecessary carriage of passengers resulted in a significantly more severe outcome following the in-flight break-up,” the report said.

Amber’s parents, Fiona and Clint Millar, have spoken out for the first time since the incident and the ATSB investigation was being conducted, describing their daughter as a “world changer” and saying they are left with ‘nothing but sadness and broken hearts’.

“All we are left with is the silence in our home which is deafening, the emptiness, the hollow echo that burns a whole right through us,” they said.

“No more sounds of laughter from you and your beautiful friends having fun, enjoying yourselves…”

The findings of the ATSB report are “beyond disturbing”, according to Mr and Mrs Millar.

“Amber’s death was preventable, as highlighted by the ATSB report which demonstrates the flight should never have taken place,” they said in a statement.

This is the first time her parents have spoken out since the tragic incident.

Amber's parents remember her as "a world changer who had so so much to give."

“Each noncompliance was a missed opportunity to mitigate the risks of physical and psychological harm to each person who flew on the Robinson R 44 helicopter on that fateful brief flight.”

The pair have called on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to increase their oversight into private pilots who offer aviation experiences

They have also called on the West Australian government to undertake an audit of all aviation related tourism companies and “private pilots” to determine if they are complying with legal requirements.

They said they are “incredibly frustrated” that the ATSB investigation took two years and 9 months to be completed.

“This may have a significant knock-on effect in holding people to account for Amber’s death, as WorkSafe must commence a prosecution within three years of an accident,” they said.

“The fact there has been no coronial inquest is heartbreaking and adds to our stress.”