The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its final report into a fatal helicopter crash near Kowanyama in Queensland’s Gulf Country, finding the pilot was flying without the required qualifications or equipment for night operations. The 27-year-old pilot died when the Robinson R22 Beta II crashed while returning from a bushfire tracking operation after last light in October. ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the pilot did not hold certification for night visual flight rules (NVFR), and the helicopter itself was not equipped for night flying. The aircraft was operated by MDH Pty Ltd, a major Australian beef producer, where investigators found flying beyond legal daylight limits had occurred regularly. The company has since introduced updated aviation safety procedures following the investigation.