Outback Wrangler Matt Wright, Helibrook WorkSafe charges heard in Darwin court

WorkSafe charges against Netflix star Matt Wright have been heard in Darwin courts for the first time.

Outback Wrangler Matt Wright’s new set of charges relating to a fatal helicopter crash that killed his friend Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson have been put in front of court for the first time.

NT Worksafe charged both Mr Wright and his company Helibrook Pty Ltd with failing in their duties, after they allegedly failed to maintain safe aircraft and allowed them to be operated when unsafe.

Worksafe alleged Mr Wright engaged in conduct to falsify the number of flight hours accrued by the aircraft by interfering with the Hobbs meters, and not accurately recording flight times.

NT WorkSafe alleges this conduct would have impacted the regular inspection and replacement of the aircraft’s life-limited components.

Matt Wright's lawyer Giles O'Brien-Hartcher arrives at the Darwin Local Court. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mr Wilson was collecting crocodile eggs from a Helibrook Robinson R44 at the time of the crash which ended his life.

Pilot Sebastian Robinson was also seriously injured in the crash which took place in February 2022.

If found guilty of all charges, the company faces a maximum combined penalty of $6m, while Mr Wright could face up to $1.2m in fines, five years in prison, or both.

Mr Wright was represented by his lawyer Giles O’Brien-Hartcher in the Darwin Local Court as the case was heard for the first time.

Mr O’Brien-Hartcher said the charges were being contested and sought a directions hearing, scheduled for April 22, with a brief to be put forward on April 4.

Mr Wright previously released a statement saying the WorkSafe charges was “misleading with respect to the findings of regulatory agencies relating to this incident”.