A student pilot remains hospitalized following a helicopter crash that claimed the life of his instructor in Sydney's south-west. The incident occurred on Friday around 1:30 p.m. when a Robinson R22 helicopter crashed in a car park on Birch Street, just outside the secured area of Bankstown Airport.

The helicopter was owned by Bankstown Helicopters, a prominent operation at the airport. Initial reports indicated that the aircraft may have struck a power line and some trees, but the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) clarified that these incidents happened during the helicopter's final flight phase.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell stated that it is too early to determine who was piloting the helicopter, which was engaged in training. "It seems to be whatever has gone wrong has gone wrong quite high in altitude prior to it coming down," he said. He noted that circuit training typically occurs at altitudes between 800 and 1,000 feet. "But until we actually have some of that data to verify, I wouldn't like to speculate at this stage what may have gone wrong."

Emergency responders found the 62-year-old instructor deceased at the crash site. The 19-year-old student pilot was rescued from the wreckage and treated for multiple injuries, including a fractured jaw, abrasions, and spinal injuries. Audie Jousief from NSW Ambulance commended the bravery of those who assisted, stating, "They probably helped save his life."

As of Saturday, the student pilot remained in serious condition at Liverpool Hospital.

Investigators from the ATSB, specializing in operations, engineering, and maintenance, arrived at the crash site on Saturday morning after it had been secured by NSW Police. Mitchell mentioned that the team had already contacted the helicopter's owners. They will examine the wreckage, map the crash site, and recover parts of the helicopter. The investigation will also include a review of the aircraft's maintenance history and the experience levels of both occupants.

Flight-tracking data, weather conditions, and radio communications, including any mayday calls, will also be analyzed. When asked about any previous issues with the Robinson aircraft, Mitchell emphasized that it is too soon to determine if the aircraft's condition contributed to the crash. "Robinsons are an incredibly popular brand of helicopters in Australia and they're used across the whole range of the industry," he said.

A preliminary report detailing the flight's sequence is expected within eight weeks, while the full investigation will take longer. "We know that there are a lot of people that will be mourning today over the tragic loss of life yesterday," Mitchell added. "Our thoughts [go] out to the student pilot who's currently receiving treatment."