ATSB widens probe into chopper crash that killed Outback Wrangler Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson
An investigation into a crash that killed Outback Wrangler star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson has been upgraded. Read what will be looked at.
Police & Courts
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The scope of an investigation into a chopper crash that killed Outback Wrangler star Chris “Willow” Wilson last year has been broadened after authorities upgraded the probe last week.
Mr Wilson was killed when the Robinson R44 helicopter he was a passenger in crashed in Arnhem Land during a crocodile egg collection trip in February.
Several people have since been charged with a range of offences relating to the aftermath of the crash, including Mr Wilson’s TV co-star Matt Wright, who faced court in November charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence and fabricating evidence.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau released a preliminary report into the crash in April, but its final report has now been pushed back until “Q2 2023” after the ATSB upgraded its status from “defined” to “systemic”.
The bureau’s website describes the higher level investigations as potentially involving “in‑the‑field activity and a range of ATSB and possibly external resources”.
“They have a broad scope and involve a significant effort collecting evidence across many areas,” it reads.
“The breadth of the investigation will often cover multiple organisations. Occurrences and sets of transport safety occurrences investigated normally involve very complex systems and processes.
“In addition to investigating failed and missing risk controls, systemic investigations may also investigate the organisational processes, systems, cultures and other factors that relate to those risk controls, including from the operator, regulator, and certifying and standards authorities.
“Systemic investigations result in substantial reports, often with several safety issues identified.”
The investigation’s current status is the ATSB’s second highest designation below “major”, which its website describes as being reserved for significant accidents “potentially involving a large number of casualties”.
“Major investigations would likely involve significant ATSB and external resources and potentially require additional one-off government funding,” it reads.
Former NT Police officer Neil Mellon has also faced court charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence and making a false declaration for his alleged role in the crash’s aftermath.
His wife, Sandi Mellon, a serving Senior Sergeant, was last week charged with unlawful entry, trespass, assault and making a threat to kill and will face court on February 15.
Mrs Mellon’s charges are understood to be unrelated to the crash.
Wright has denied any wrongdoing and his case is set to return to court on January 25.
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