An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has found pilot Allan Tull, who was killed when his helicopter crashed during fire-bombing operations near Ulladulla in August 2018, had likely suffered an incapacitating medical event.
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Mr Tull had been repeatedly water bombing the Woodburn fire near Ulladulla, on the afternoon of August 17, 2018 when the accident happened.
From New Zealand, he had come to protect the small communities on South Coast and just two days prior to the accident had been water bombing the Bomaderry fire before moving on to fighting the Kingiman fire, west of Ulladulla.
The ATSB report says Mr Tull, who was piloting a Kawasaki Heavy Industries BK117 helicopter, registered VH-JWB, had just filled its slung Bambi Bucket without incident from a dam and departed on a fifth fire-bombing circuit.
Shortly after, the helicopter diverted off course contrary to the established flight pattern of the Woodburn fire.
The bucket and longline became caught in trees at the edge of a clearing, causing the helicopter to collide with terrain before coming to rest inverted.
Mr Tull was fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed.
The report said none of the ground or airborne crews heard any radio transmissions from the helicopter immediately before the accident (during water bombing operations it is standard practice to make a radio call when leaving the circuit for any reason, to inform other airborne assets of the helicopter's tracking).
In the minutes prior to the accident, Mr Tull had responded normally to a NSW Rural Fire Service Air Attack co-ordinator conducting an 'operations normal' radio call and did not report any difficulties at that time.
During the investigation, ATSB Transport Safety Investigators did not identify any pre-existing defects with the helicopter that may have contributed to the accident.
"The pilot's post-mortem identified a focus of acute inflammatory change in the heart muscle, a condition known as lymphocytic myocarditis," Director Transport Safety, Stuart Macleod said.
"This condition is capable of causing sudden impairment or complete incapacitation.
"He is unlikely to have known he suffered from this condition. There are no risk factors for the development of this condition and it cannot be detected by medical screening."
Mr Tull's post-mortem identified coronary heart disease which is also capable of causing sudden impairment and incapacitation.
However, despite him suffering from these two heart-related conditions, there was insufficient evidence to determine if they contributed to the accident.
"Pilots are reminded that some medical conditions may be undetectable by the normal aviation medical screening process and should remain vigilant for any medical symptoms which may be the precursor to a more serious medical event," Mr Macleod said.
Mr Tull was an experienced pilot, with a total flying experience of approximately 7,750 hours (approximately 1,300 hours experience operating the BK117 and in excess of 3,000 hours of longline experience) was known to use an over-the-counter medication for the treatment of hay fever.
Although labelled as non-sedating, this medication was not approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for use while conducting flying operations.
"Mr Tull was known to have been taking this medication for some time, so any adverse effects on the day of the accident were considered unlikely," Macleod said.
"However, pilots should also exercise caution when using over-the-counter medications as their availability does not mean they are automatically safe for use while conducting aviation activities."
Due to the inverted nature of the accident and resulting vertical compression of the fuselage, the accident was not considered survivable.
However, evidence from the first responders showed the upper torso restraint (UTR) was worn incorrectly at the time of the accident.
"Although on this occasion the accident was unsurvivable, the use of such a shoulder harness restraint generally reduces the likelihood of fatal head injuries,"Mr Macleod said.
"Pilots are reminded to always use UTRs if the are fitted to the aircraft."
Mr Tull and another pilot also killed locally while battling bushfires, David Black, have been honored on a Frontline Services Memorial obelisk in Ulladulla.
The memorial obelisk, in the Ulladulla Civic Centre grounds, commemorates and honours lives lost by State Emergency Services, Rural Fire Service, police, marine rescue, emergency medical services, surf lifeguards and other emergency services personnel, paid or unpaid, while performing their duties in protecting the local community and the environment.
