Occurrence
On 2 January 2023, two EC130 B4 helicopters, registered VH‑XKQ and VH‑XH9, were conducting concurrent scenic flights from the grounds of Sea World Theme Park on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The flights were part of a series operated simultaneously from the Sea World Helicopters heliport and the park pad inside the theme park. In bright clear conditions, the helicopters collided midair at a point approximately 155 meters west-north-west of the main heliport at an altitude of around 130 feet. The two helipads were 220 meters apart.
Damage and Injuries
Following the collision, VH‑XKQ was severely damaged and broke apart, leading to a collision with terrain. The helicopter was destroyed. Of the 7 people on board, 4 were fatally injured and 3 were seriously injured. VH‑XH9 was substantially damaged, but the pilot made a controlled landing. Of the 6 people on board, 3 were seriously injured and 3 had minor injuries. The pilot of VH‑XH9 reported that their first indication of the collision was the main rotor blades of VH‑XKQ passing through the windscreen. The pilot and passengers were peppered with penetrating shrapnel from the windows and window frames.
Contributing Factors
The investigation identified that the operator, Sea World Helicopters, had recently implemented changes including the reopening of the park pad and the use of two EC130 B4 helicopters for concurrent flights. Tracking data showed that helicopters routinely passed through the same airspace point on approach to the heliport and departure from the park pad. The operator was aware that simultaneous operations created a conflict point but relied solely upon alerted see-and-avoid to maintain separation. On the day of the accident, this system broke down, and the two helicopters collided at the established conflict point. The contributing factor stated in the investigation is that VH‑XH9 and VH‑XKQ collided at an intersection created by simultaneous operation of the park pad and main heliport, with separation relying solely upon alerted see-and-avoid.
Organizational and Safety Aspects
Evidence collected indicated unintended consequences of the operational changes due to limited use of safety management processes. The operator’s approach to managing separation between aircraft and to overall aviation safety risk had limitations. Gaps in knowledge regarding integration of safety equipment led to incorrect use of passenger restraints. The investigation noted that passenger safety was compromised not only in this event but also in scenic flights worldwide.