A damaged Sea World Helicopter is seen at the site of a collision

A damaged Sea World Helicopter is seen at the site of a collision between two helicopters near the resort.

In a tragic incident in January 2023, four people lost their lives, including two British tourists, and six others sustained serious injuries when two helicopters collided near Sea World on the Gold Coast. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has reported that a malfunctioning radio antenna played a role in the mid-air crash. The investigation revealed that one of the pilots failed to hear a critical radio communication just before the accident occurred. Additionally, changes made by Sea World over time diminished the effectiveness of risk management controls designed to ensure safe traffic separation between aircraft. The collision, which took place approximately 20 seconds after one helicopter took off while the other was preparing to land, shocked the Gold Coast, a major tourist destination in Australia. All fatalities were aboard the helicopter that was departing, while the other managed an emergency landing, resulting in various injuries among its passengers.
In their report, the ATSB noted that Sea World had been expanding its helicopter services by adding a second helipad and utilizing larger Eurocopter EC140 B4 helicopters. However, these modifications weakened the existing risk controls and created conflicts during take-offs and landings. The helicopter that was ascending also had a defective antenna.

As the aircraft prepared for take-off, the pilot did not receive a crucial call from the incoming helicopter, which was either unheard or not received. A ground crew member later assured the departing pilot that the airspace was clear, but by that time, the situation had changed. Meanwhile, the pilot of the helicopter landing had noticed the other aircraft on the ground but did not see it as a threat. The ATSB report stated that he expected a "taxiing" communication to alert him if the situation changed. However, due to the faulty antenna, this call likely did not go through, preventing the pilot from reassessing the risk of a collision as he focused on landing. Among those who perished were Diane Hughes, 57, and her 65-year-old husband Ron from Neston, Cheshire. The newlyweds were visiting relatives after being apart due to COVID-19. Their family described them as a "fun-loving" couple with a "zest for life." Also among the deceased were 36-year-old Vanessa Tadros from Sydney and 40-year-old helicopter pilot Ashley Jenkinson, originally from Birmingham. Six others were seriously injured, while three sustained minor injuries. Passengers on the returning flight praised their pilot as a "hero" for safely landing the helicopter after the collision. The ATSB's investigation resulted in 28 findings emphasizing important lessons for aviation operators and pilots.

"The most critical takeaway from this investigation is that modifications to aviation operations, even those intended to enhance safety, can lead to unintended consequences," stated ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell. "It is imperative that any changes to aviation operations are handled through a defined process to ensure that overall safety is not compromised.

BBC