Deceased
Roulston, Bradleigh Michael and Kean, Daniel Joseph
Demographics
23y, male
Date of death
2008-02-13
Finding date
2013
Cause of death
Multiple injuries sustained in mid-air collision between aircraft
AI-generated summary
Two aircraft collided mid-air during goat culling operations in February 2008: a Piper Super Cub (pilot Bradleigh Roulston, age 23; spotter Daniel Kean, age 39) and a Robinson R44 helicopter. Both occupants of the Super Cub died from multiple injuries. The collision was avoidable and resulted from multiple factors: absence of formalised aircraft separation protocols, both aircraft flying at similar altitude when the helicopter should have been significantly lower, both pilots' failure to take evasive action or communicate warnings despite observing convergence, and pilot fatigue following extended flying hours in extreme heat. The coroner found fatigue played a significant role in poor decision-making. The helicopter pilot turned left rather than the standard right turn for converging aircraft and climbed rather than descending. Critical clinical lesson: human factors including fatigue severely impair judgment in safety-critical roles; fatigue management protocols and technological safeguards are essential.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
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Source and disclaimer
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