Australian Transport Safety Bureau suspends search for helicopter that crashed in the Whitsundays

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has suspended the search for a helicopter that crashed in the Whitsundays killing two passengers.

Emily and Bobby Sheets, survivors of the Whitsunday Air Services helicopter crash.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has suspended the search for a helicopter that crashed into the sea in the Whitsundays, killing two passengers.

Hawaiian tourists Peter Hensel, 79, and his wife Sue, 65, were both killed when the Whitsunday Air Services’ Eurocopter crashed as it returned from a flight over reefs in the region on March 21.

The pilot, and Mrs Hensel’s daughter Emily and son-in-law Bobby Sheets survived.

An update on the ATSB investigation into the fatal crash said a request for additional government resources to search for the wreck had not been met.

The report said although there was much evidence to be gained from the helicopter, it might well be too late to be of any use.

“Evidence that may assist the investigation in determining factors that may have contributed to the accident include the helicopter structure, fracture surfaces, the engine and airframe components and electronic non-volatile memory within avionic components,” said the report.

“The ATSB has considered the value of recovering such components after the prolonged period in a salt water/coral environment and has concluded that it is unlikely that these components would now render valid evidence that may assist the investigation.”

The report also pointed out that the Eurocopter did not have, and was not required to have a crash worthy recording device such as a flight data recorder.

In June, personal belongings of Emily Sheets, were found on a beach at Cape Flattery, about 660km north of the crash site.

The ATSB said the discovery had further demonstrated the potential distribution of the wreckage.

“The ATSB considers worthwhile safety outcomes will still be possible in the absence of the helicopter wreckage,” said the updated report.

“The ATSB is continuing the investigation and is working with stakeholders including the pilot, passengers, operator, manufacturer and regulator.”