Overview

• The ATSB's final report confirms that a defective radio antenna prevented critical communication, contributing to the collision of two helicopters in January 2023.
• Operational changes, including helipad reconfigurations and weakened safety protocols, created risks that were not adequately managed, the report found.
• Limited cockpit visibility and outdated ground crew advice further hindered the pilots' ability to detect each other, leading to the mid-air collision.
• Four people lost their lives, including the departing helicopter's pilot, Ashley Jenkinson, and British couple Ron and Diane Hughes, while nine others were injured.
• Legal claims against Sea World Helicopters have been filed, with compensation capped at $925,000 per claimant under aviation liability laws.