WA Coroner refuses to investigate Broome chopper crash that killed schoolgirl Amber Millar

A WA coroner is refusing to hold an inquest into the death of a 12-year-old girl who was killed in a horrific helicopter crash in the Kimberley despite repeated pleas from her devastated parents.

Broome chopper crash victim Amber Jess Millar.

A West Australian coroner is refusing to hold an inquest into the death of a 12-year-old girl who was killed in a horrific helicopter crash in the Kimberley, despite repeated pleas from her devastated parents.

In July 2020, pilot Troy Thomas and Perth schoolgirl Amber Millar were killed when his Robinson R44 crashed immediately after takeoff from an industrial site in Broome.

Coroner Michael Jenkin has now told Amber’s grief-stricken parents he has sufficient evidence to make his findings about their daughter’s death without holding an inquest.

Fiona and Clint Benbow, who lost their only child in the crash, said they feel “absolutely gutted” by the decision.

“We feel like our beautiful girl’s life has been completely fobbed off by the only hope we had left in this cruel legal system,” Ms Benbow said. “It has kicked us to the ground.”

Chopper crash victim Amber Jess Millar with her parents Clint and Fiona Benbow.

They had written to the coroner twice, in May and June, begging for an inquest to identify the specific circumstances leading to Amber’s death, examine the practises of the aircraft’s operator Avanova Pty Ltd and consider whether the Civil Aviation Safety Authority adequately regulates the adventure tourism industry.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s nearly three-year investigation into the fatal crash uncovered a litany of failures and cover-ups preceding the incident. Another two passengers, including Mr Thomas’s daughter, were also critically injured when the helicopter – which had been exhibiting an unusual vibration through the tail rotor pedals – broke up mid-air and plummeted 75 feet to the ground.

The ATSB found Mr Thomas had been involved in at least six unreported accidents and incidents between September 2016 and March 2020.

The Benbows believe further investigations are required to determine whether additional parties may be responsible for Amber’s death including anyone who knew about the issue with the helicopter. They said without an inquest, people who might have known about Mr Thomas’s noncompliance and unreported incidents would escape scrutiny.

“Troy was not the only person involved,” Ms Benbow said. “There were numerous people involved. If even one person had said something, Amber would still be alive.”

Troy Thomas with wife Sophie and daughter Mia in March 2019 at the Australian Tourism Awards in Tasmania. Picture: Facebook.

Coroner Jenkin said he considered investigations by the ATSB and WA Police, information provided by CASA and the Benbows’ views in his decision.

“CASA has explained that had Mr Thomas survived the crash, CASA would have considered initiating an enforcement investigation into his conduct as the pilot to determine whether any regulatory action was necessary or appropriate,” he wrote.

“As Mr Thomas is deceased, neither of these things can occur.”

The coroner said the case would now be finalised by way of an Administrative Finding.

The Benbows had seven days to apply to the Supreme Court for an inquest to be held but did not receive the letter in time.