obsessive
In the in flight video the right rear paaseenger tapping the pilot means that the ascending helicopter (VH-XHQ)was just below at starboard moments before impact This is diagonally opposite the pilot. At the beginning of the clip a left sided rear passenger can also be seen videoing indicating nothing untoward was apparent on the portside at level flight at least The damage to the cockpit of VH-XH9 with clean entry on starbord but shreds on portside exit indicate the rotor hit into starboard
The time of day meant that VH-XH9 may have been against the sun to the ascending helicopter just before impact . The fact that the craft were dark blue may have in effect camouflaged VH-XHQ against the water Either way the arriving/departing craft should have been looped in course and seperated in time so that cross over flightpaths would not have been possible .The investigation will focus on whether procedures were in place & if so whether they were followed .CASA seems quite deficient in preventative guidance for airspace regulation in uncontrolled airspace & specifically for helicopters - except with reference to helicopters visa vis fixed wing aircraft By contrast the Grand Canyon has a 150 page special flight rules area procedure manual and can handle 7 takeoffs simultaneously.