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By KATE BANVILLE
Questions have been raised as to why the blackbox fitted to an army helicopter, which smashed into the ocean with “catastrophic impact” last Friday, is yet to be located, as the Australian Defence Force confirms human remains have been found.
Soldiers Capt Danniel Lyon, Lt Maxwell Nugent, WO2 Joseph Phillip Laycock and Cpl Alexander Naggs (pictured below) were on board the MRH-90 Taipan tail-number A40-040, when it crashed in waters near Lindemann Island on July 28 around 10.30pm.
The crash prompted an immediate search and rescue for the four men on board – two pilots and two loadmasters – who were from Sydney’s 6th Aviation Regiment, which flies elite special forces into operations and exercises.
The discovery of further aircraft debris and unidentified human remains was confirmed by ADF Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton on Thursday.
“I can now advise that yesterday afternoon, Wednesday the 2nd of August, HMAS Huon’s remotely operated underwater vehicle located a further debris field, including parts of the cockpit of the helicopter,” LTGEN Bilton told reporters at a press conference in Brisbane.
“The debris field is consistent with a catastrophic high impact.
“Due to the nature of the debris field, positive identification of the remains is unlikely to occur until we recover more of the wreckage.
“Army has spoken with the families of the missing soldiers and is providing them with support.”
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The helicopter’s blackbox is yet to be found, which is troubling for several reasons given the device should be fitted with an underwater locator beacon that starts emitting a pulse if its sensor touches water.
Working to a depth of just over four kilometres, the blackbox can “ping” once a second for 30 days before the battery runs out.
Additionally, locating the electronic flight data recorder may also be the best hope of finding out what happened.
The incident was initially described by authorities, including Defence Minister Richard Marles, as an aircraft ditch.
This was all but ruled out by LTGEN Bilton on Thursday when he said all communications with the helicopter and its crew were “normal” prior to the catastrophic crash.
“It was a normal flight in a group of four aircraft flying at the time,” he said.
“And at this stage all communications were normal before the aircraft impacted the waters.
“It’s a difficult task but we will do our absolute best to find it, and as you know that black box is critical in helping us to understand what’s actually taken place.”
The cause of the crash is now subject to a Defence led investigation by aircrash investigators. Queensland Police Service has begun preparing a report for the coroner as the lead agency of the ongoing operation.
LTGEN Bilton confirmed earlier questions put to Defence by the Caller, querying the arrival of Australia’s ADV Reliant to assist recovery efforts.
The navy’s auxiliary support vessel operated by a commercial crew, would take over responsibility for the search from HMAS Adelaide within the next 24 hours.
The recently acquired vessel is 102 metres long, has a large cargo deck, cabling, and a large crane which would be needed to lift the sunken wreckage.
“The ADV Reliant is a vessel that incorporates more modern equipment that helps us to do that sort of recovery operation but it will still be a difficult operation at 40 meters of depth,” LTGEN Bilton said.
The Caller understands at least four additional specialist divers from QPS will join the six already in the Whitsundays.
LTGEN Bilton said divers had been working since Friday to locate and recover as much as possible.
Defence supports remain in place for the families and colleagues of the four men, with the wider veteran community also rallying around its own as news of the crash continues to be felt.
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Former soldier Ben Whiting who served at 6th Aviation Regiment, before going on to Airbus as a technical instructor for the manufacturing company, said he has felt a “gut-wrenching sorrow”.
He told the Caller the crash late last week has raised memories of previous incidents throughout his career, and rattled the aviation community.
“You start to think of the what ifs and wondering what the hell are we doing?” he said.
“After the initial shock I put my logical hat on and serious questions need to be asked of all layers of Defence.”
Mr Whiting said his role delivering MRH-90 Taipain systems and safety protocols to military members placed him in direct contact with command staff, pilots and maintainers who would be among those most impacted right now.
Paul Dunbavin, a former Sergeant Major of the 2nd Commando Regiment said the work of special operations was inherently risky, and even more so during nightflying exercises like the one conducted at the time of the crash where night vision goggles would have been worn.
The seasoned special forces operator who has flown on both Taipan and Black Hawk helicopters, said the chopper would have been flying at “full throttle” at the time of the crash given the sheer amount of debris found.
“It’s obviously hit the water with huge velocity and consequently, that’s why the aircraft has been sheared in half,” he said.
Dunbavin said the unimaginable grief process for families would be only just beginning.
He is the Executive Director of The Commando Welfare Trust which provides emergency and long-term financial support to Special Forces soldiers, veterans and family members where the system cannot.
An appeal has been set up for the crews’ families.
“Special Operations Command operates 24/7, 365 days a year defending Australia and to do that they’ve got do the operations unlike any other organisation in defence,” he said.
“It’s dangerous at all times, it’s complex and unfortunately this incident has highlighted those risks.
“The Commando Welfare Trust will always be there.”
The entire MRH-90 fleet remains grounded following the crash, with the Army’s Chief Lieutenant General Simon Stuart vowing it will not be flown until it’s safe to do so.
The crash occured just days before the Taipan’s replacement arrived in Australia.
LTGEN Bilton said he didn’t have a figure on how many of the first of the 40 US-made Blackhawk helicopters, or how many Australian pilots were qualified to fly them as Defence works to come up with a solution to fill the flying ability gap while the MRH-90 Taipain is grounded.
The decision to scrap the Taipan comes 13 years earlier than expected with Defence intending to retire the aircraft plagued with trouble in 2024.
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Australian Defence Force support services
1. Defence All-hours support line – The All-hours Support Line (ASL) is a confidential telephone service for ADF members and their families that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1800 628 036.
2. Defence Member and Family Helpline – Operates 24-7, if you need support, help, or advice at any time, call 1800 624 608. The Defence Member and Family Helpline is staffed by qualified human services professionals including social workers and psychologists.
3. A network of dedicated mental health professionals at health centres located at major Defence bases is available to provide or facilitate support for ADF members both on-base and off-base. For out-of-hours or away-from-base assistance, members can call 1800 IMSICK (1800 467 425) to locate the nearest support. More information is available via the Mental Health Portal at: https://www1.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/health-well-being/services-support-fighting-fit/mental-health-online
4. Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling (formerly VVCS) provides free and confidential counselling and support for current and former serving ADF members and their families. They can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 011 046 or visit the Open Arms website for more information.
5. Open Arms also has Safe Zone Support which can be accessed at: https://www.openarms.gov.au/safe-zone-support.
6. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) provides immediate help and treatment for any mental health condition, whether it relates to service or not. If you or someone you know is finding it hard to cope with life, call Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or DVA on 1800 838 372. Further information can be accessed on the DVA website.A full list of welfare support services is available at: https://www.defence.gov.au/about/reviews-inquiries/afghanistan-inquiry/welfare-support