The pilot killed in the horror Sea World helicopter crash had possible traces of cocaine in his system, a report has found.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report was released on Tuesday – the one-year anniversary of the devastating tragedy that left four people dead and nine others injured.
On January 2 last year, two Sea World joy flight helicopters collided in mid-air, killing lead pilot Ashley Jenkinson, Sydney woman Vanessa Tadros and British newlyweds Ron and Diane Hughes.
Ms Tadros’ son, Nicholas, who was in the same helicopter, survived the accident but suffered serious injuries and had to have his right leg amputated.
ATSB Chief Constable Angus Mitchell said a toxicology report showed Jenkinson had ‘a positive result due to low levels of cocaine metabolites’ in his system.
Chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson (pictured), who died in the Sea World helicopter crash, had traces of cocaine in his system, a report has found
The report, released to mark the one-year anniversary of the horror crash (pictured), revealed that low levels of cocaine in Mr Jenkinson’s system were ‘unlikely’ to have affected his flying.
However, his report concluded it was ‘unlikely’ that the low levels of cocaine in Mr Jenkinson’s system would have hampered his flying.
“A forensic pharmacologist engaged by the ATSB has stated that the very low concentrations of these metabolites suggest that exposure was not likely to have occurred in the 24 hours prior to the accident,” Mitchell said.
‘It is unlikely that there would have been any impairment of the pilot’s psychomotor skills.’
Mr Micthell added that while the interim report was ‘substantial and comprehensive’, the ATSB has yet to release its formal findings as investigations into factors leading to the accident continue.
The ATSB interviewed key officials and witnesses, examined both helicopters and maintenance logs and collected post-mortem information.
It also assessed industry knowledge of seat belt wearing, ADS-B analysis and radar flight tracking information. CTAF images and video footage.
More to come…
