The pilot who died in the horror Sea World helicopter crash had possible traces of cocaine in his system, a report has found.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report was handed down on Tuesday – the one-year anniversary of the devastating tragedy that killed four people and injured nine others.
On January 2 last year, two Sea World joy flight choppers collided mid-air killing chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson, Sydney woman Vanessa Tadros and British newlyweds Ron and Diane Hughes.
Ms Tadros’ son Nicholas, who was in the same helicopter survived the accident but suffered critical injuries and had to have his right leg amputated.
ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said a toxicology report revealed Mr Jenkinson had ‘a positive result for low levels of cocaine metabolites’ in his system.
Chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson (pictured), who was killed in the Sea World helicopter crash, had traces of cocaine in his system, a report has found
The report handed down on the one-year anniversary of the crash (pictured) revealed the low level traces of cocaine in Mr Jenkinson’s system was ‘unlikely’ to have impaired his flying
Vanessa Tadros was killed in the crash while her son Nicholas was severely injured and had his right leg amputated (pictured, Vanessa and Nicholas with Sea World helicopter ticket)
However, his report concluded it was ‘unlikely’ the low levels of cocaine in Mr Jenkinson’s system would have impaired his flying.
‘A forensic pharmacologist engaged by the ATSB has stated that the very low concentrations of these metabolites suggest exposure was not likely to have occurred in the 24 hours prior to the accident,’ Mr Mitchell said.
‘It is unlikely there would have been impairment of the pilot’s psychomotor skills.’
Mr Mitchell added while the interim report was ‘substantive and comprehensive’, the ATSB has yet to hand down its formal findings as it continues an investigation into contributing factors that led to the accident.
The ATSB has interviewed key personnel and witnesses, examined both helicopters and maintenance logs and gathered post-mortem information.
It also reviewed industry understanding of seat belt fitment, analysis of ADS-B and radar flight tracking information, CTAF recordings and video imagery.
Mr Mitchell added the next steps in the ABTS investigation will be to focus on finding if any systemic factors contributed to or increased the risk of the accident – with the final report expected later this year.
‘This was a tragic accident and it is our responsibility to make findings and drive safety actions which reduce the likelihood of a similar occurrence in the future,’ Mr Mitchell said.
ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell’s interim report concluded the low-level traces of cocaine in Mr Jenkinson’s (pictured) system was ‘unlikely’ to have impaired his flying skills
Simon Tadros (pictured with wife Vanessa and their son Nicholas) shared a touching tribute to his wife on the anniversary of the crash and said somebody needs to be held accountable
Ms Tadros’ husband, Simon told 2GB host Luke Grant on Monday he was ‘definitely interested’ in the ATSB report findings.
Mr Tadros, who watched from the ground as the helicopter his wife and son were in crashed mid-air, said someone has to be held accountable for the accident.
‘I want answers,’ he said. ‘Someone has to be held accountable for it. I know it was an accident but something like this should not happen in such a high-risk job.
‘I am letting the ATSB run its course and do what it has to do. But at the end of the day, somebody will be held accountable for it regardless of who it is.
‘This shouldn’t have happened and I pray to God that it never happens to anybody because what Nicholas and I and other families have gone through has been a nightmare.’
Mr Tadros said his faith in God and the support from people around Australia has helped him and his son get through the year.
While things will never be the same again for the pair, Mr Tadros said they vow to be as positive as they can.
He shared a touching tribute to his wife on Tuesday to mark the anniversary of the crash.
‘Today has been one year since the worst day of my life occurred, that has changed my life forever,’ he wrote on Facebook.
‘Today is the day that my wife Vanessa left us and is sitting with our heavenly father up in heaven.
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‘Vanessa was the most beautiful soul a person could have. Her heart was always filled with love and compassion for everyone.
‘I ask that everyone today remember all the good times and the laughs that they shared with Vanessa.
‘I ask we pray not only for Vanessa but also for everyone that lost their lives in the Sea World helicopter accident and for their families as well. Vanessa will never be forgotten.’
On January 2, 2023, two Sea World joy ride helicopters collided mid-air killing four people and injuring seven others
The wreckage of one of the crashed helicopters is pictured on January 2, 2023
The two helicopters that crashed into each other on January 2, 2023 at Sea World are pictured
Mr Tadros’ son Nicholas was one of the nine survivors and has undergone 36 surgeries including having his right leg amputated.
He said the ordeal has been ‘very mentally draining’ but he was proud of his son who has learned to walk again despite continuing health complications.
‘I can’t be more proud of Nicholas for his maturity levels and how he’s come out the other side from this,’ Mr Tadros wrote.
‘He has had his moments, and I’ll let him have those moments because it’s not easy, but what we’ve always said is we’re not going to sit down and cry ourselves a river.
‘It’s not going to change anything. We just have to somehow get up, face it, get on with it. That’s what we’re doing.’
The seven occupants in the other helicopter all survived the crash.
Pilot Michael James was able to land safely opposite Sea World on a sandbank in the Southport Broadwater.
Another survivor, Winnie De Silva, has spoken out about her continuing pain, distress and regret after the crash in which her son Leon, 9, suffered a brain injury.
‘Just the thought of it, just the thought of death. That or how we survived – it’s been really hard and emotionally damaging for both myself and Leon,’ she told 7News.
While Ms De Silva’s physical recovery continues – she had shoulder surgery just days ago and has constant leg pain – for Leon the trauma is more psychological.
‘Leon is not alright psychologically. He gets very emotional,’ she said. ‘He feels it in himself. He knows that he’s changed.’
The guilt of what was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience also haunts Ms De Silva.
‘Leon did not want to do that helicopter ride,’ she said.
‘I wish I never did because it was a five or 10-minute ride. But two minutes later, our life change dramatically.
‘What I remember is the bang and then things falling on our faces and then the air and then the crashing.’
The mum said the situation felt hopeless as it was completely out of her control.
‘We are in the air. I have no other escape. Where do I go to from here? So I surrendered everything and I said, “let what will be, happen” and I was just … I was horrified.’
Ms De Silva thought that she and Leon were both going to die.
‘How we survived … a miracle. Angels came and protected us at that time,’ she said.
She hopes the full ATSB report into the crash will provide some answers.
‘The question is, what really happened? I would like them to answer me that question,’ she said.
‘That should never happen again. Or it should not have happened in the first place.’
