New testimony in the ongoing inquest into the devastating 2023 Gold Coast helicopter crash has revealed a pilot's distraction may have been a critical factor in the mid-air collision that claimed four lives. A top executive from the helicopter company involved suggested the pilot was not concentrating on his duties, a claim central to understanding how the tragic incident unfolded.

The fatal crash occurred on January 2, 2023, near the popular Gold Coast theme park, leading to the deaths of pilot Ashley Jenkinson, UK tourists Ronald and Diane Hughes, and New South Wales resident Vanessa Tadros. The ongoing inquiry seeks to uncover the precise circumstances that led to the collision between two helicopters operated by Sea World Helicopters, now known as Surfers Paradise Helicopters.

Pilot's Focus Questioned

Brett Newman, the chief executive of Sea World Helicopters, told a Brisbane inquest that he believes pilot Ashley Jenkinson was 'totally distracted' by passengers in the front row of his joy flight. Mr. Newman stated that both passengers were observed looking to the left, engaged in discussions about boats in the Broadwater. 'It's my view that [Mr Jenkinson] was looking to the left, talking about the boats,' Mr. Newman testified. He further speculated that Mr. Jenkinson, known for his desire to please, might have been interacting with his passengers rather than fully concentrating on the flight path and surrounding airspace. This alleged lapse in attention, according to Mr. Newman, meant Mr. Jenkinson failed to see the second helicopter approaching from the right, a view he found baffling.

Communication and Assumptions Under Scrutiny

The inquest also delved into communication protocols and assumptions made by the pilots. Mr. Newman recounted accompanying Mr. Jenkinson on numerous flights before the collision, during which procedures and flight paths were reportedly reconfirmed. On the day of the incident, the second helicopter, piloted by Michael James, was descending while Mr. Jenkinson was taking off.

A preliminary report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau in 2023 indicated that Mr. James, who managed to land his helicopter safely despite severe damage, had not heard a radio call from Mr. Jenkinson. However, Mr. Newman challenged this finding at the inquest, suggesting he believes Mr. Jenkinson did not make the outgoing radio call at all. Mr. Newman expressed incredulity at the idea of a radio malfunction, stating, 'The assumption there was something wrong with the radio and the other pilot would've picked that up is just ridiculous.'

Furthermore, Mr. Newman told the inquest that he believes Mr. James would have assumed the other pilot would not have commenced a take-off during the descent of another aircraft. 'He assumed that he would never take off in front of the other helicopter,' Mr. Newman stated, adding that the presence of Mr. Jenkinson's helicopter was 'totally alien' to Mr. James, who reportedly didn't notice it until the rotor struck his own aircraft.

Unbeknownst Personal Struggles

The inquiry also heard revelations about Mr. Jenkinson's personal life that were reportedly unknown to his employer. Evidence presented suggested Mr. Jenkinson had an interest in cocaine. Mr. Newman firmly stated that had he known of any drug use, Mr. Jenkinson would have been immediately dismissed, citing a strict 'zero tolerance' policy for drugs. He confirmed that Mr. Jenkinson had undergone two drug tests between 2016 and 2022: a standard pre-employment check and a random drug test, both yielding negative results.

Additionally, the inquest heard that Mr. Jenkinson’s partner had found him experiencing breakdowns in secluded spaces, such as a cupboard and a shower, prior to the busy Christmas period. Mr. Newman testified that he was completely unaware of these personal incidents, highlighting a potential gap in the oversight of pilot well-being.

A Conflicting Narrative

In contrast to Mr. Newman's testimony, Mr. Jenkinson's executive assistant, Thalia Ellem, previously told the inquest that the pilot was exceptionally safety-conscious and and consistently went 'above and beyond' in his duties. She stated last year that 'Every day Ash would be talking about safety,' painting a picture of a pilot dedicated to safe operations.

The inquest, led by Coroner Carol Lee, continues for another two weeks, with further revelations expected as investigators piece together the complex chain of events leading to the tragic Gold Coast helicopter collision.