Tributes paid to pilot Michael James, who saved lives in Sea World helicopter crash, after death from cancer

Sea World Helicopters pilot Michael James has died of cancer 18 months after surviving a deadly crash on the Gold Coast. (Ambulance Wish: Nathan Hughes)

The pilot who successfully crash-landed his damaged helicopter during a mid-air collision at Sea World, saving the lives of all four passengers on board, has died of cancer, it has been revealed.

Michael James, who died late last month, was hailed a hero after bringing down his aircraft on a sand bank following a mid-air collision with his Sea World Helicopters colleague Ash Jenkinson during a joy flight on the Gold Coast in January 2023.

The 53-year-old and his passengers, New Zealand tourists Edward and Marle Swart and Riaan and Elmarie Steenberg, survived the crash with relatively minor injuries.

Mr Jenkinson and three of his passengers — Sydney woman Vanessa Tadros and UK couple Diane and Ron Hughes — were killed instantly.

Three other tourists on board the aircraft — Geelong woman Winnie De Silva, 33, and her son, Leon, 9, along with Ms Tadros's son Nicholas, 10 — were badly injured.

Shortly after the crash, Mr James' passengers released a statement calling him their hero.

"To our pilot, who, through all the chaos, landed the helicopter safely, keeping us and other bystanders safe," they said.

"You are our hero. Thank you so very much."

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the crash.

The ATSB's preliminary report into the deadly collision found Mr James, who was coming in to land, did not hear a call over the radio by the pilot taking off.

Mr James never spoke publicly about the incident.

Pilot, lawyer and former Qantas safety boss Ron Bartsch, who knew Mr James and who has consulted with the ATSB during its investigation, labelled the crashlanding an "incredible feat of piloting" and said he was sad to learn of Mr James's death.

"It was very, very sad, particularly in light of the heroic actions he took," Mr Bartsch said.

"He was a very unassuming person, he was incredibly capable and well-respected by his peers.

"By any measure, the fact that aircraft was able to be flown was a miracle."

Aviation expert Neil Hansford said it was a shame Mr James never got to fly again after the accident, and said the fact more lives weren't lost that day was a testament to his professionalism as a pilot.

"People are alive who potentially might have passed away had he not shown his skill and his training," Mr Hansford said.

"In a very, very damaged aircraft he stuck to the job and didn't panic.

"He had his own life to save but he also had the lives of those that were with him. Very few of us, when faced with that sort of position, can keep our head together."

The ATSB said it expected to conclude its investigation and hand down a report later this year.