The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released its final report on April 9, 2025, detailing significant flaws in safety procedures that contributed to the midair collision between two Eurocopter EC130 helicopters.

The report highlighted that a critical inbound taxiing call from one helicopter did not reach the other due to radio antenna faults, severely impacting situational awareness for both pilots.

A tragic helicopter crash at Sea World on the Gold Coast, Australia, in January 2023 resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including British tourists Ron and Diane Hughes, and left several others seriously injured.

Limited visibility and competing priorities further complicated the situation, as both pilots had restricted views of each other's aircraft during the incident.

Changes made by Sea World Helicopters, including the introduction of larger helicopters and a second helipad, inadvertently disrupted existing safety protocols and traffic management.

In response to the crash, Sea World Helicopters has implemented several safety measures, such as appointing a 'pad boss' for traffic management and updating radio protocols to enhance communication.

The ATSB made four safety recommendations aimed at improving safety management and risk control measures within Sea World Helicopters' operations.

Sea World Helicopters has acknowledged the accident and stated they are addressing remaining safety issues, including enhancing risk management and change processes.

Legal claims of up to $925,000 per person have been filed against Sea World Helicopters by injured parties and witnesses, with further actions pending the ATSB report's findings.

The Hughes family expressed their heartbreak over the incident, criticizing Sea World Helicopters' handling of the tragedy while appreciating the thorough investigation conducted by the ATSB.

The ATSB chief commissioner emphasized the need for improved safety protocols to prevent similar accidents in the future, highlighting the importance of managing operational changes carefully.

Neither pilot was aware of the radio issues that hindered necessary communication, which ultimately affected their ability to locate each other in midair.