ATSB: Fatal Air Tour Midair Pilot Had Used Cocaine | Aviation International News

ATSB: Fatal Air Tour Midair Pilot Had Used Cocaine

Autopsy found cocaine metabolites in body of Australian helitour pilot

ATSB — An infographic from the ATSB depicts the mid-air collision involving a Eurocopter EC130B4, VH-XH9, and Eurocopter EC130B4, VH-XKQ, in Queensland.

By Mark Huber • Contributor

January 3, 2024

Trace elements of cocaine were found in the body of one of the pilots involved in last January’s fatal midair collision of two air tour helicopters in Queensland, according to an interim accident report released yesterday by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). The pilot and three of his passengers died when their Airbus EC130B4 hit another helicopter at the Sea World Marine Park on Jan. 2, 2023.

The six people aboard the other EC130B4 survived with various injuries. The pilot of that helicopter was not tested for alcohol or drugs following the accident; however, both pilots were checked for alcohol and tested negative for it before flying that day. Both pilots had completed the company’s drug and alcohol management plan.

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