The Chief Coroner of the ACT has handed down her report in the Inquest into the death of David Wood [2026] ACTCD 1. The inquest arose out of the death of Captain David Wood, a helicopter pilot assisting the Australian Antarctic Division operating out of Davis Station in the Australian Antarctic Territory. He passed away after falling into a snow-bridged crevasse about 90 nautical miles northeast of Davis Station.
Greg O’Mahoney and Daniel Habashy appeared for Captain Wood’s employer, Helicopter Resources, which provided helicopter services to the Australian Antarctic Division. The inquest, which commenced in April 2016, considered issues such as pilot training, risk assessment of landing sites, and the adequacy of rescue/response efforts.
No adverse findings were made in respect of Helicopter Resources.
Greg and Daniel were instructed by Ben Martin and Andrew Dunn from Norton White.
The report can be accessed at: https://courts.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/3023282/Wood.pdf
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