Australian Transport Safety Bureau finalise Point Lonsdale helicopter crash investigation
Aviation investigators are preparing to reveal how a sightseeing flight ended in a near-fatal crash into water off the Bellarine Peninsula earlier this year.
Aviation investigators are preparing to reveal how a sightseeing flight ended in a near-fatal collision into waters off the Bellarine Peninsula earlier this year.
Experienced Geelong pilot Anton Westerink and his two passengers, Chris Rathborne and Alena Krasnopeeva, were lucky to escape with their lives after a Robinson R44 plummeted into the sea between Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale in May.
The trio had departed from the Barwon Heads Airport on a planned joy-ride to various destinations before their chopper crashed into the water.
All three were flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious injuries.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released an update on its months-long investigation, confirming all evidence had now been collected and analysed.
A final report is expected to be released early in the New Year that could have implications for all involved.
“Should a critical safety issue be identified … the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken,” an ATSB spokesman said.
Mr Rathborne, 53, and Ms Krasnopeeva, 47, are suing Geelong Helicopters Pty Ltd for damages under the Civil Aviation Act following the ordeal.
A writ filed in the Supreme Court outlined the alleged trauma they claim to have suffered as a result of the flight.
The company is owned and operated by Mr Westerink.
This masthead is not suggesting any wrongdoing by the pilot.
Ms Krasnopeeva, an ATO compliance officer, spent months off work at the time the documents were filed, on September 2.
She suffered three vertebrae fractures and several other back injuries, brain bleeding, broken ribs and a neck complaint, according to the statement of claim.
Mr Rathborne, who is the Chief Information Officer at IP Australia, was forced off work for 17 days with head, spinal, neck and chest injuries.
He returned to his senior government role in a restricted “working from home” capacity, following the collision.
He also suffered hypothermia from his time spent in the water, and had developed psychiatric injuries.
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Originally published as Australian Transport Safety Bureau finalise Point Lonsdale helicopter crash investigation
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