What happened
On 2 January 2023, two helicopters operated by Sea World Helicopters collided mid-air near the Gold Coast theme park in Australia. The crash killed four people, including the pilot of one of the choppers, Ashley Jenkinson, along with three passengers. Several others — including children — were seriously injured.
Now, at a coronial inquest into the disaster, a grim new detail has emerged: Jenkinson reportedly suffered a mental “breakdown” in the weeks before the crash — and used cocaine at a New Year’s Eve party just hours before the tragedy.
Evidence at the inquest
Jenkinson’s fiancée, Kosha Richardson‑Johnson, testified that in late 2022, Jenkinson was under such stress from mounting work pressures that he had what she described as a “breakdown.” She said he was found crying in a wardrobe and that, although she considered urging him to take a break, she ultimately did not.
According to her and other witnesses called to the inquest, Jenkinson used cocaine “probably six to eight times a year.” Most strikingly, she said he took a small bag of cocaine to a New Year’s Eve party and was seen inhaling some of the drug at around 3 a.m. on 1 January — less than 36 hours before the fatal crash.
Another close friend, Ross Meadows, testified he saw Jenkinson using a white powder (assumed to be cocaine) at that party — “something I didn’t pay enough attention to,” he admitted under questioning.
What investigations found — but also what remains uncertain
A post-mortem toxicology test confirmed the presence of cocaine metabolites in Jenkinson’s system.
However, investigators from Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) noted that the concentration of those metabolites was very low. Forensic analysis suggested the exposure likely happened days before the crash — making it “unlikely” that Jenkinson’s psychomotor skills were directly impaired during the flight.
Still, investigators conceded they cannot rule out indirect effects — such as fatigue, depression or lapses in attention — which can follow stimulant use, especially under stress.
Beyond drug use, the broader official crash investigation uncovered systemic issues: the crash involved two relatively new EC-130 model helicopters added to Sea World Helicopters’ fleet under tight schedules; some pilots reported differences in cockpit layout and visibility; and there were known limitations in radio communication and “see-and-avoid” safety protocols.
Why the inquest matters
The inquest — which started in late November 2025 — isn’t only dissecting pilot behaviour, but is also challenging whether safety procedures and regulatory oversight were adequate, and whether the operator’s drug-testing policy should have prevented someone like Jenkinson from flying while using illicit substances.
Witnesses have begun painting a picture of “irregular” recreational drug use combined with mental strain, at a time when the company was under pressure to scale up flights and integrate new aircraft.
Reaction and broader implications
The evidence — that a pilot may have flown not long after cocaine use, and while emotionally fragile — has reignited debates about drug-testing standards, pilot mental health, and the broader safety culture in tourism aviation.
For survivors and families of crash victims, the inquest proceedings are part of a painful search for answers. For the aviation industry and regulators, the case may trigger reforms: stricter drug and mental-health screenings, more rigorous flight-readiness checks, and tighter oversight of rapid fleet changes.
Writer and editor specialising in lifestyle, culture and social trends across Australia and Oceania. Spent 5 years contributing to national magazines and online outlets.
