A pilot killed in the Sea World helicopter crash had traces of cocaine in his system, but the small amount of the narcotic was not likely to have impaired his flying abilities, an interim report has found.
Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson was among four people who died when the chopper he was flying at the popular theme park on the Gold Coast collided with another mid-air.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released an interim report on its ongoing investigation into the accident today, as the nation marked the one-year anniversary of the January 2, 2023 crash.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said a toxicology report for Jenkinson showed a “positive result for low levels of cocaine metabolites”.
However, as the cocaine was present at such low levels it was unlikely to have affected the pilot’s flying ability, Mitchell said.
“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, and it is unlikely there would have been impairment of the pilot’s psychomotor skills,” he said.
The interim report does not make any formal findings on the factors that led to the accident.
Mitchell said the ATSB was still examining all of the evidence and a final report would be released in the third quarter of 2024.
When asked by reporters about the pilot’s positive toxicology test, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said he had not seen the results, but it did appear to be troubling.
“I don’t know the amount of it. I haven’t seen the full investigation. But on the surface of it when you’re a pilot, there should be no trace. So I’ll let the investigator make the real comment.”
Mitchell said moving forward, the investigation would consider whether any systemic factors contributed to, or increased risk in the accident.
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“This will include consideration of the design of the operating environment and operating procedures, the onboarding and implementation of aircraft, change management, and the regulatory environment and input,” he said.
As well as Jenkinson, New South Wales woman Vanessa Tadros and UK couple Diane and Ron Hughes died in the collision, which shocked and saddened the nation.
Tadros’ son Nicholas, 10, was critically injured in the collision, and Victorian mother Winnie de Silver and her son Leon, 9 were seriously injured.
The pilot of the other aircraft, Michael James, and all six of his passengers survived with minor cuts and bruises.
James was able to land his chopper safely at Southport Broadwater, opposite Sea World, moments after the crash.
Since the crash and ATSB began its investigation, Sea World Helicopters has implemented several new safety procedures.
These include a new ‘pad boss’ traffic advisory role, added air traffic systems to each of its helicopters’ avionic systems, increased communication protocols, and steps to make its helicopters more visible.
Tate said the wounds of the Sea World chopper crash would take a long time to heal.
“I think one year is still as fresh as the day it happened. I know that Sea World are halting their activity today, and our condolences continue to be with the family,” he said.
