A coronial inquest has found that the pilot of a helicopter that crashed off the coast of Anna Bay in 2019, killing all five people on board, became spatially disorientated in the lead-up to the tragedy.
Deputy State Coroner Carolyn Huntsman handed down her findings in Newcastle on Wednesday, after a one-day inquest earlier this week into the deaths of Queenslanders Jamie Ogden and Grant Kuhnemann, NSW couple Jocelyn Villanueva and Gregory Miller, and pilot David Kerr.
In a brief closing statement to the court, Magistrate Huntsman determined that all five who were on board the 'Huey' chopper on the evening of September 6 died from "multiple injuries sustained in a helicopter crash" and that the manner of death was "misadventure".
She declared that Mr Ogden, Ms Villanueva and Mr Kerr - who were technically classified as missing because their remains had not been recovered - had died in the crash.
Mr Miller's mother Andrea Kay told the Newcastle Herald on Wednesday afternoon she was "extremely happy" with the way the investigation was conducted following her son's death.
"The police department and the defence department have been more than generous with what they've shown us and the respect to all the families," she said.
Jamie Ogden's brother Darren said outside Newcastle courthouse his family was satisfied with the inquiry into the fatal crash, describing the inquest as "another piece of the puzzle" being put in place.
"The police report and inquiry was very well done. They didn't leave anything unturned and made it very easy for the coroner as well," he said.
"We're just glad it's done now, we know what's happened and we will move on from there."
The helicopter crashed about 6.30pm after flying from Brisbane and stopping to refuel at Coffs Harbour, on its way to Bankstown Airport.
The inquest heard this week that conditions were windy and dusty on the day of the crash, causing low visibility.
There was also evidence that Mr Kerr, as the pilot, was not qualified to fly the chopper outside daylight hours - nor was the helicopter properly equipped to travel in the dark.
Magistrate Huntsman found that the crash was a result of Mr Kerr being subject to "pilot spatial disorientation" while continuing to fly the helicopter after last light. Her finding was in line with that of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
Ms Villanueva's family called Mr Kerr's actions "reckless" in a statement read to the court during the inquest this week.
