The pilot of a helicopter that crashed off Lilli Pilli beach in April was not qualified to fly at night, an investigation has found.
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The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau released results of their investigation into the crash last week.
It found the pilot was not approved, and the helicopter was not equipped, to fly at night.
The Malua Bay pilot, 72-year-old Victor Hansen, and his 70-year-old wife Helen were travelling in the private R44 helicopter when it crashed into the water about 50 metres off Lilli Pilli beach just after 6pm on April 24.
According to the ATSB’s findings, the couple was flying from Nerrigundah to Berry when, just north of Ulladulla, the pilot noticed cloud and rain ahead.
They turned back and headed to a private landing site at Malua Bay. When they were approaching it, the pilot descended to what he thought was 100ft and reduced his airspeed.
The aircraft then crashed into rocks off the northern headland of Lilli Pilli Bay, about 1km from the landing site.
The Hansens escaped from the helicopter after it crashed, and a witness helped the pilot onto nearby rocks. His wife was fatally injured.
Mr Hansen obtained a private pilot (helicopter) licence in 2004, and was qualified to fly helicopters during the day. He did not have sight in one eye.
The bureau found that Mr Hansen didn’t obtain an accurate time for the end of daylight, or a briefing of weather before the flight.
It also found that instead of making a precautionary landing shortly before nightfall, Mr Hansen’s diversion forced him to fly “in conditions for which he was not qualified, and the helicopter was not equipped”.
“The pilot had an incorrect understanding of the helicopter’s height as a result of flying over dark water, with few ambient lights visible to help judge height as the pilot approached the landing site.”
There were no lifejackets on board. However the initial planned route to Berry did not fly over water and, therefore, the aircraft did not require lifejackets.
“The investigation did not identify any organisational or systemic issues that might adversely affect the future safety of aviation operations,” the ATSB found.
“However, the accident does provide a timely reminder of the importance of appropriate flight planning and informed in-flight decision-making.”
Batemans Bay Police confirmed they were preparing a report for the coroner.
