THE Sea World helicopter pilot who died in a horror mid-air crash that left four dead had cocaine in his system, an investigation has found.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its interim report on the one year anniversary of the fatal incident between two helicopters on the Gold Coast on January 2, 2023.
The devastating tragedy took the lives of four people and injured another nine.
Amongst those killed was Sydney mum Vanessa Tadros and British newlyweds Ron and Diane Hughes.
Chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson was the fourth victim of the aircraft collision.
On Tuesday, ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said a toxicology report revealed Mr Jenkinson had "a positive result for low levels of cocaine metabolites" in his system.
However, the examining forensic pathologist reported no signs of chronic stimulant use and the cocaine was unlikely to have been consumed within 24 hours of the crash, the report stated.
“It is unlikely there would have been impairment of the pilot’s psychomotor skills,” Chief Commissioner Mitchell said.
The report added that the drug could have been taken up to four days prior.
In a statement, Mr Jenkinson's family welcomed the interim report but asked those who knew him to not let it "tarnish the memory" of the popular pilot.
"On the anniversary of the accident, we acknowledge the ongoing pain and grief of all the other families involved. They remain in our thoughts daily," the statement read.
"It is important for the people deeply affected, as we have been, to have a greater understanding of the multiple contributing factors to this terrible accident."
Mr Jenkinson's family then urged people to read the full report that found there were "multiple contributing factors to this terrible accident".
"As a family, we know there will be significant attention to this finding. We request people not be distracted by this one element of the interim report or this be the sole focus of the report.
"It seems clear there were multiple issues with communication infrastructure, visibility, congestion and safety protocols identified among others," they said.
The ATSB's investigation also revealed that some passengers weren't wearing their seatbelts properly.
But Chief Commissioner Mitchell stated that this was "not attributed to the tragic outcomes in this case".
The ATSB has estimated its final report – which will include analysis, findings and any recommended safety actions – will be completed between July and September 2024.
“This was a tragic accident, and it is our responsibility to make findings and drive safety actions, which reduce the likelihood of a similar occurrence in the future,” Mitchell said.
Ms Tadros' husband, Simon, told 2GB host Luke Grant on Monday that he was "definitely interested" in the ATSB report findings, the reports.
Mr Tadros, who watched from the ground as the helicopter his wife and son were in crashed mid-air, said someone has to be held accountable for the accident.
His son, Nicholas, was one of the nine survivors and has undergone 36 surgeries including having his right leg amputated.
British holidaymakers Ron Hughes, 65, and wife Diane, 57, from Liverpool - were also killed after marrying in 2021.
The couple had reportedly travelled to the Gold Coast to visit Ron’s daughter Jane Manns, her husband Ben and their kids.
Jane and Ben said the family has been left "heartbroken" by the tragedy.
The seven occupants in the other helicopter all survived the crash.
But chilling onboard footage shows the moment tourists tried to warn the pilots moments before a horror crash.
One of the passengers appears to try to alert the pilot by tapping him on the shoulder.
And then moments later the rotor blades of the other aircraft rip into the cockpit with a loud crash.
