Australian Transport Safety Bureau reveals helicopters in near-collision off Cottesloe Beach

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has revealed a beach patrol helicopter and a sightseeing helicopter were on track to collide with each other off Cottesloe Beach earlier this year.

The two craft were flying under VFR rules, which means it is the responsibility of pilots to see and avoid obstacles.

But the report from the ATSB found the two helicopters came within about 100 metres horizontally and 200 feet vertically during the near-collision.

The incident is eerily similar to the collision of two helicopters on the Gold Coast in 2023 that claimed the lives of four people. The pilots in that incident were also flying under VFR rules.

The near-disaster off one of Perth’s most popular beaches occurred about 10.20am on February 2, when the crew of an Aerospatiale Industries AS.350BA helicopter was conducting routine beach patrols.

At the same time, a Bell Helicopter Company B206 operating a sightseeing flight with three passengers was flying northwest at an altitude of about 1500ft.

As it crossed the coast, the pilot started a descending left turn to fly south, converging with and crossing in front of the patrol helicopter as it descended, forcing the pilot of that craft to make an immediate turn to the west.

The patrol helicopter’s pilot reported the rear left-seat air crew officer had observed the B206 “on our left, close” but had assumed the helicopter was still at 1500ft based on an earlier position and intent radio call.

The pilot called the B206 directly to advise of the conflict after taking the evasive action.

The B206 pilot reported that when they broadcasted their position and intent after leaving the Jandakot control zone, air traffic control had told them of the AS.350’s location and altitude but they had not heard any radio calls from the helicopter itself.

The pilot had not seen the AS.350 when approaching the coast and became aware of the conflict only when advised by the AS.350 pilot.

The ATSB did not hold an investigation into the incident, instead releasing an occurrence brief intended to raise industry awareness.

Because occurrence briefs are not investigations under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003, the parties involved were not identified.

The ATSB brief said while both helicopters had Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS‑B) technology, the broadcast‑only functionality of the B206’s system limited the pilot’s situational awareness.

“The VFR transit lanes along the Perth terminal area coastline are popular sightseeing and operational routes, with, at times, multiple smaller aircraft operating within the lanes,” it said.

It said operators and pilots of aircraft operating in these lanes should consider the limitations of the visual “see and avoid” principle and use all available methods and technologies to ensure safe aircraft separation.

Both helicopter operators held after a review after the incident.

The B206 operator held an internal investigation and released a safety bulletin highlighting the need for continuous situational awareness and communication.

It also plans to upgrade the B206’s avionics.