Outback Wrangler Matt Wright’s chopper company Helibrook faces potential Civil Aviation Safety Authority suspension
Outback Wrangler Matt Wright’s alleged involvement in a chopper crash conspiracy could ground one of the Territory’s biggest helicopter companies.
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Outback Wrangler Matt Wright could lose his aviation licence as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority confirmed it is investigating the celebrity’s helicopter company.
Darwin Local Court heard on Wednesday, Matthew Nicholas Wright faced a potential suspension of his aviation licence, depending on the outcome of his criminal investigation.
The 43-year-old reality television star faces seven charges in relation to an alleged conspiracy to destroy evidence in the wake of an Arnhem Land helicopter crash that killed his friend, Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson on February 28.
CASA records revealed that the Robinson R44, which went down during the crocodile egg collecting mission, was registered to Wright’s company, Helibrook.
Police have alleged, in the wake of the crash, Wright and his two co-accused conspired to destroy evidence, made false declarations, in an attempt to pervert the course of justice.
Wright was also charged with attempting to fabricate evidence, unlawfully entering a building and a dwelling, and making threats or reprisals involving a criminal investigation.
On Wednesday, Darwin Local Court heard Wright had returned to the Territory to run his businesses in the lead up to the dry season peak-tourism period.
Prosecutor Steve Ledek said while Wright was returning to continue his adventure-tourism and accommodation ventures, the continuation of his flight businesses was under threat.
“We understood there was a prohibition on him being able to re-engage in at least the flight services of his operation because of CASA determination that there ought to be a notice of suspension for his aircraft operator’s certificate,” Mr Ledek said.
“However, that suspension doesn't actually take effect until the issue is resolved.
“He is therefore entitled to be in charge of those air services and those aspects of his operation.
“So until that has been clarified … he will be able to do the job he wants to do.”
Mr Wright’s website said the commercial helicopter company was a sub-entity of Matt Wright Wild Territory and was “one of the biggest and most successful tourism and commercial helicopter businesses in the Northern Territory”.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has confirmed it was investigating Matt Wright’s helicopter company.
“Deliberations relating to Helibrook are continuing,” a spokesman said.
“However, it should be noted no decision has been taken at this time to suspend Helibrook’s Air Operator’s Certificate.”
CASA said given the ongoing investigations by police and the ATSB “it would be inappropriate for us to comment on any specific actions at this point”.
Both Wright and his co-accused Michael Keith Burbidge have maintained their registration with CASA.
However, CASA records show Burbidge has significantly downsized his fleet, more than halving the number of helicopters registered to his name.
Burbidge’s company, Northshore Holdings, which trades as Remote Helicopters Australia had five choppers registered with CASA in 2021.
The latest registration data shows Mr Burbidge’s company has only two helicopters, a Robinson R66 and a Eurocopter France AS350.
Mr Burbidge appears to have sold two Robinson R44, the same model involved in the fatal crash.
The choppers, which were registered under his company in 2021, were listed to Queensland-based company Dash Helicopters as of January 2023.
The registration for his Robinson R22 was listed with ARRQ Pty Ltd, a Victorian based company.
The Remote Helicopters Australia owner and pilot, was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying and fabricating evidence and making a false declaration.
While his co-accused has downscaled his operation, Wright appeared to have maintained his fleet.
CASA records show Wright replaced the destroyed Robinson R44 with a Bell Helicopter which came under Helibrook’s registration in October 2022.
The Robinson R44 which crashed and killed Mr Wilson was registered to Wright only 14 months before the fatal crash, with the chopper transferred to his name in December 2020.
Prior to that it was registered to a Western Australian entity, Heysen Gums Pty Ldt.
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Originally published as Outback Wrangler Matt Wright’s chopper company Helibrook faces potential Civil Aviation Safety Authority suspension
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