Inquest told radio traffic and congestion issues plagued Gold Coast airspace
Robyn Wuth
The skies surrounding the theme park where a fatal mid-air helicopter crash occurred were so dense that pilots mostly relied on a “see and avoid” approach, a coroner has heard.
On January 2, 2023, three tourists and Sea World Helicopters pilot Ashley Jenkinson died in a mid-air collision between two helicopters near the Gold Coast theme park.
Former Sea World Helicopters pilot Scott Menzies said on Tuesday the Gold Coast Broadwater was a small, busy area with heavy traffic, especially during the Christmas-New Year period.
Effective radio communication is critical because without it, pilots cannot properly manage safety or avoid collisions, Menzies said.
He said he did not remember Jenkinson getting into the taxi or calling for departure on the day of the crash.
Radio calls on the common traffic alert frequency were frequently “boosted” as multiple helicopters and training aircraft competed for broadcast time, the coroner heard.
Pilots operating out of Broadwater still rely primarily on “see and avoid” to avoid collisions, Menzies said, warning that electronic traffic systems can be subject to delays and at times show planes up to half a mile from their actual location.
Menzies flew for Sea World Helicopters before starting his own operation.
He is currently the chief pilot of Gold Coast Helitours, which was not involved in the crash.
Former Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Brett Anderson told the inquest Broadwater had long been known as a complex environment, with numerous helicopters operating from closely spaced pads outside the theme park.
Anderson, now head of flight operations for a helicopter company in Sydney, said conflict points in airspace were not uncommon but were managed through procedures, radio calls and ground support rather than making major changes to flight paths.
He said pilots still depend on “looking out the window” and “keeping their heads turned” to spot other planes.
Extra radio channels, electronic displays and ground crews have options to increase situational awareness, he said.
The investigation also examined drug and alcohol rules in aviation and how they applied to Sea World Helicopters.
Witnesses had previously told the court they saw Jenkinson take cocaine at a New Year’s Eve party before the fatal flight.
British newlyweds Ronald and Diane Hughes, aged 65 and 67, and Sydney mother Vanessa Tadros, 36, also died in the accident.
Nine people were also injured, including Tadros’ young son Nicholas, who lost his leg and was hospitalized for months.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires operators to have drug and alcohol management plans for safety-sensitive personnel.
Operators may conduct their own routine testing, including daily pre-flight breath tests for alcohol, but there is no mandatory minimum frequency for regular illicit drug screening.
AAP
