Episode Details

A deadly helicopter crash near the Gold Coast theme park in January 2023 may have been caused by pilot impairment. The coroner heard testimony from an aviation medicine expert who said the pilot, Ashley Jenkinson, 40, was likely under the influence of cocaine and alcohol and severely sleep-deprived. Witnesses described him consuming heavy amounts of both substances at a New Year’s Eve party, while his partner noted a recent emotional breakdown linked to workplace stress. The expert warned that Jenkinson may have concealed his substance use from his employer, and while his impairment may not have been obvious at the start of his shift, it likely affected his judgment during a high-stress, busy tourist period. The collision occurred just 25 seconds after takeoff, killing Jenkinson and three passengers and injuring others, including a young man with a severe leg injury. The inquest continues, highlighting how subtle impairment can go unnoticed — and how stress and fatigue can push someone to fly despite feeling “off his game.”

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