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Sea World Helicopters has agreed to settle a civil claim involving the family of pilot Ash Jenkinson, who was killed in a 2023 crash, amid allegations of negligence and poor work practices.
Jenkinson, who was the chief pilot for the scenic flight tour company, died in January 2023 when his helicopter crashed into another Sea World Helicopters chopper over the Gold Coast’s Broadwater.
The pilot in the other chopper, Michael James, managed to land his helicopter.
Ash Jenkinson with his fiancee, Kosha Richardson-Johnson.
Never-before-seen footage of the collision, showing the moment of impact, was released by Coroner Carol Lee, as an inquest into the crash began on Monday.
Survivors of the collision, in which British couple Ron and Diane Hughes and Sydney mother Vanessa Tadros died, gave evidence to the inquest this week.
The inquest is considering how the crash occurred, with the court hearing one specific issue the Australian Transport Safety Bureau had focused on in their investigation was the radio communication between the two choppers. The court heard that due to faults with Jenkinson’s radio, a taxi call likely made from him was not transmitted before the crash.
Sea World Helicopters pilot Ashley Jenkinson died in the 2023 crash along with three passengers.Credit: AAP, Nine News, Supplied
In a separate matter, Jenkinson’s fiance, Kosha Richardson-Johnson launched civil proceedings against the company.
During a hearing on Friday in the Supreme Court in Brisbane, Justice Sean Cooper said Richardson-Johnson’s claim related to damages for negligence brought against Sea World Helicopters.
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The family and the company agreed to settle the damages claim without litigation.
Cooper was asked to sanction the settlement, as it related to the couple’s son, Kayden, and the apportionment of damages.
Cooper said Richardson-Johnson had formed the view that it was in her son’s best interests to settle the claim.
“The allegations of negligence relate to poor work practices and a lack of reasonable safety precautions, which are alleged to have resulted in the midair helicopter collision in which Mr Jenkinson died,” Cooper said.
The court heard it was agreed that 30 per cent of the undisclosed settlement would go to Kayden, while Richardson-Johnson would get the remainder.
The Queensland Public Trustee would manage Kayden’s share until he turned 18, the court heard.
The inquest is set to continue on Monday in the Coroners Court.
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