WELLINGTON, New Zealand—A helicopter pilot told investigators he didn’t hear a pilot on the ground announce he was taking off before the fatal collision of their aircraft at an Australian theme park, according to the preliminary report released Tuesday.
The investigators said they haven’t ruled out the routine radio call being made by the other pilot, however, and plan to investigate further.
The two Sea World helicopters collided during scenic flights on Jan. 2 at the tourist city of Gold Coast near Brisbane.
The incoming pilot, Michael James, managed to land his damaged craft after the collision and save those on board, but the other helicopter broke apart in midair and crashed into shallow water. The departing pilot and three of his passengers were killed, and nine people were injured….