'Spatial disorientation' to blame for fatal army helicopter crash, probe finds

An internal investigation into the MRH-90 army helicopter crash in 2023 has found ‘spatial disorientation’ was to blame for the deadly accident.

The Defence Flight Safety Bureau (DFSB) has released a report into the crash finding the aircraft was operating normally, with no malfunctions or pre-existing damage.

It concluded the pilots likely experienced a “loss of spatial orientation” during the training exercise and that the aircraft underwent an “inadvertent and unrecognised climb” before it crashed into the ocean off the coast of Lindeman Island, Queensland in July 2023.

The wreckage of what is believed to an MRH-90 Taipan in Whitsunday waters. Search and rescue crews have found debris in the search for four Australian defence helicopter crew who are feared dead after their aircraft went down off Hamilton Island in Queensland late last night. — The Defense Flight Safety Bureau (DFSB) has released a report into the crash finding the aircraft was operating normally, with no malfunctions or pre-existing damage. (9News)

Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Max Nugent, Warrant Officer Class Two Joseph ‘Phillip’ Laycock and Corporal Alexander Naggs were killed in the crash.

The investigation also considered the helmet display system used by MRH-90 pilots, known as ‘TopOwl’, but concluded it was “very unlikely” to have contributed to the loss of spatial orientation but that they were operating under challenging weather conditions, including rain showers.

Australian Army Chief Lieutenant General Simon Stuart revealed those missing as Captain Daniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock and Corporal Alexander Naggs. — The victims of the crash were Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Corporal Alexander Naggs, and Warrant Officer Joseph Laycock. (Nine)

A separate independent inquiry ordered by the Inspector-General of the ADF is also currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and is expected to deliver its findings at the end of the year.