2023年7月，澳大利亚四名军用直升机飞行员在一次大规模军事演习中驾驶MRH90 Taipan直升机（呼号为Bushman 83）坠入昆士兰海域遇难[1]。遇难者分别为Captain Danniel Lyon、Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent、Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Phillip Laycock和Corporal Alexander Naggs[1]。近日，这四名飞行员的家属针对澳大利亚政府和空客公司提起集体诉讼[1]。
诉讼预计将指控被告方未能确保直升机的安全性、系统配置、任务规划和飞行员工作条件的合理性[1]。据悉，TopOwl 5.10软件因被前测试飞行员认为对飞行员安全构成"不可接受的风险"而成为调查焦点[1]。此次集体诉讼涉及约10名飞行员家属成员[1]。澳大利亚国防部检察长办公室（IGADF）调查预计即将公布调查结果，参议院单独调查预计在9月提交报告[1]。
Relatives of four Australian military pilots who died in a Taipan helicopter crash have initiated legal action against the federal government and Airbus.[1] The four servicemen—Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Phillip Laycock, and Corporal Alexander Naggs—perished when their MRH90 Taipan helicopter, designated Bushman 83, crashed into waters off Lindeman Island near the Queensland coast during a large-scale military exercise in July 2023.[1] The class action, involving approximately ten family members of the deceased pilots, is expected to allege that authorities failed to ensure the aircraft's safety, proper system configuration, adequate mission planning, and reasonable working conditions for the flight crew.[1]
The crash has drawn scrutiny regarding the TopOwl 5.10 software, which a former test pilot previously flagged as posing an "unacceptable risk" to pilot safety.[1] An investigation by the Australian Defence Force Inspector-General is anticipated to release its findings in the near term, while a separate Senate inquiry is expected to submit its report in September.[1]