Overview
- Former loader Grace Hickey testified she gave the pilot a thumbs-up after seeing no hazards and, without a radio to contact pilots, later left the court in tears saying she had blamed herself.
- Hickey described setting tight four‑point harnesses before departure but noted passengers could adjust belts after the doors were closed.
- Courtroom footage showed passengers trying to warn their pilot before a collision about 25 seconds after liftoff that killed four people, while the other damaged helicopter landed nearby; counsel said neither pilot saw the other.
- The ATSB’s final report found a multi‑day radio antenna fault blocked a takeoff call and highlighted limited pilot visibility and safety‑system gaps now under scrutiny.
- The inquest, expected to run up to three weeks with about 30 witnesses, is examining pilot training, aircraft equipment and ground‑handling practices in one of Australia’s busiest air corridors.