Families of men killed in Taipan army helicopter crash launch class action

Families of four Australian airmen killed in a fatal army helicopter crash have launched a class action lawsuit against the Commonwealth and Airbus. The MRH90 Taipan helicopter crashed into the ocean near Lindeman Island in July 2023 during a training exercise. Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Phillip Laycock, and Corporal Alexander Naggs died in the incident. The lawsuit is expected to allege that failings by the Commonwealth and Airbus led to their deaths. Lead applicant Caitland Lyon, Captain Lyon's wife, stated that the families are running against a time limitation period and needed to file the action after hearing "alarming" evidence at an independent inquiry. The families are reportedly concerned about the airworthiness of the Taipan helicopter and its systems, particularly the TopOwl software. Former test pilots had previously deemed the technology too dangerous, posing an "unacceptable risk" to pilot safety. The inquiry also heard that the crew may have been suffering from fatigue due to their living conditions, sleeping in hot, noisy tents near an active airport and fire station. An inquiry by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) is expected to release its findings soon, with a separate Senate probe also due to report in September. The Department of Defence and Airbus have been contacted for comment.

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We are deeply concerned by the airworthiness of the [MRH90] and how it was brought into service, as well as the TopOwl system.