Fresh blow for Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright as court considers order to freeze assets

Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright faces having his assets frozen in a civil case brought by the widow of helicopter crash victim Chris Wilson.

Chris Wilson with his wife Danielle and children.

Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright faces having his assets frozen, while a civil case is heard against him and his company Helibrook in the Federal Court.

Mr Wright is also facing charges brought by the Northern Territory workplace health and safety regulator over a helicopter crash at King River on February 28, 2022 that killed his friend Chris Wilson, and left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic.

Mr Wilson was in a harness beneath the helicopter for the purpose of collecting crocodile eggs when the helicopter came down.

Both Mr Wilson, a father of two, and Mr Wright appeared in Outback Wrangler, as well as ten episodes of the Netflix reality series Wild Croc Territory.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found fuel exhaustion to be the most likely cause of the crash, and that Mr Wilson’s harness was released from the helicopter above a survivable height.

The ATSB’s report on the ‘Outback Wrangler’ helicopter crash found fuel exhaustion to be the most likely cause.

The ATSB’s final report also made damning findings about Helibrook’s safety management system, and failings by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to ensure appropriate and adequate risk management.

On the back of those findings, Mr Wilson’s widow Danielle launched civil proceedings against CASA and helicopter company Helibrook, and was now seeking to add Mr Wright to the action.

A hearing before the Federal Court on Thursday, was told an interlocutory application had been filed “joining” Mr Wright to the case, and seeking a “freezing order” on the reality TV star and his wife Kaia.

Outback Wrangler Matt Wright and his wife Kaia. Picture: Instagram

Barrister David Lloyd SC for Ms Wilson, said they were hoping to get an undertaking about “not transferring or disposing of assets” while the case was being heard.

He said it was yet to be determined if Helibrook was insured for the crash, which prompted the freezing order.

Barrister Tom Brennan SC for Helibrook, said “the insurer needed to consider its position and make clear to Helibrook what its position is”.

“If that’s to decline liability, your honour won’t be seeing me,” said Mr Brennan.

Justice Elizabeth Raper agreed to hear submissions for the order next Tuesday, February 20.

The move to have Mr Wright face civil proceedings followed additional charges laid by NT WorkSafe last week, including two counts of reckless conduct.

The charges relate to allegations Mr Wright interfered with the helicopter’s internal meters and falsified flight records over a period of time.

NT WorkSafe noted that if found guilty of all charges, Helibrook faced a maximum penalty of $6m, and Mr Wright faced a maximum $1.2m fine, or five years jail or both.

The matter was listed for mention in Darwin Local Court on February 27.