Two more blocks of hearings for inquiry into fatal helicopter crash

At least two more rounds of hearings will be needed to get a full enough picture of how and why four army airmen died in a helicopter crash during a military exercise.

Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock and Corporal Alexander Naggs were killed when their Taipan MRH-90 ditched into the ocean south of Hamilton Island on July 28 last year.

The aircraft, with the call sign Bushman 83, was participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre and flying in formation with three other helicopters when the aircraft climbed suddenly before pitching nose first towards the water. about 10pm.

The inquiry, headed up by former judge Margaret McMurdo, has this week heard from family members of the dead men, as well as a number of individuals involved in training and maintenance.

In closing remarks on Friday afternoon, counsel assisting Jens Streit said putting the circumstances surrounding the lead up to the fatal crash under a microscope had been crucial.

“There is little point rushing to the finish line and risk overlooking a critical matter,” he said.

He said looking at the training provided to the 6th Aviation Regiment, and especially the crew of Bushman 83 had been extremely relevant.

“One of the issues that has arisen this week … is the management of aircrew fatigue and workload at the 6th Aviation Regiment prior to July 28, 2023,” he said.

“Another issue that’s arisen is the maintenance of MRH-90 aircraft and the blended workforce the regiment had between ADF and Airbus.”

Looking ahead, he said the inquiry would call witnesses who could give testimony on the issues of a blended workforce, the maintenance performed on the ill-fated helicopter in the lead up to the crash, and speak about any issues of workforce fatigue in the maintenance space.

The next hearing, to take place in June, will call evidence in relation to the recovery operation.

The inquiry will also examine defence’s airworthiness and safety framework.

Another block of hearings in August will include private testimony from aircrewman who were in Bushman 81, Bushman 82, and Bushman 84.

He said the inquiry would also address how families were notified of their loved one’s death, after Corporal Naggs’ partner Sarah Loft told the inquiry she only received a phone call to inform her about the missing aircraft, after defence personnel had knocked on the wrong door.

Mr Streit said he had hoped the Aviation Safety Authority final report would be completed by the end of July, but he understood that had changed.

“Our inquiry does not know when the report will be delivered,” he said.

The entire Taipan fleet was due to be retired in December 2024, but was permanently grounded in September 2023 in the wake of the incident.

Major Harry More, the officer commanding logistics support squadron from the Fifth Aviation Regiment, told the inquiry on Friday his regiment was due to retire the Taipans in August 2023, presumably after the completion of Exercise Talisman Sabre.

The 6th Aviation Regiment was to keep flying them for another 16 months.