ATSB to reveal cause of fatal Outback Wrangler chopper crash that killed Netflix star Chris Wilson

The national transport safety investigator will this week release its long-awaited final report into the high-profile chopper crash that killed Netflix star Chris Wilson.

Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

The national transport safety investigator will this week release its long-awaited final report into the high-profile chopper crash that killed Netflix star Chris Wilson during a crocodile egg collecting mission in a remote part of the Northern Territory.

Almost 21 months after Wilson was killed and pilot Sebastian Robinson was critically injured, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau will on Wednesday publish its findings into the cause of the fatal crash.

The destroyed R44 Raven II – owned and operated by Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright’s company Helibrook – collided with terrain, soon after takeoff, from a staging area on the King River in a remote part of West Arnhem Land.

Aviation experts say it will be difficult for the ATSB to make conclusive findings about the cause of the crash given that its investigation was hindered from the start with evidence allegedly tampered with and crucial items – including Wilson’s mobile phone – going missing.

Last September the ATSB referred potential offences under the Transport Safety Investigations Act 2003 to the Australian Federal Police due to concerns that those who were first at the scene had deprived investigators of crucial evidence.

Wilson left behind wife Danielle and their two young sons Ted and Austin.

The AFP subsequently referred the matters to NT Police, who investigated and provided a brief to the NT Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration.

The Australian has previously revealed that the hour metre in VH-IDW might not have been connected at the time of the crash and there has been intense scrutiny over the amount, colour and source of fuel found in VH-IDW’s tank when the wreckage was inspected days later.

In April, Darwin man Tim Luck, who was on the crocodile egg collecting mission, told The Australian that he himself had filled the destroyed chopper’s tank with fuel about 20 minutes’ flying time before the crash.

“I’m 100 per cent sure that the machine was filled to the top,” he said in an exclusive interview.

But the ATSB’s preliminary report, released seven weeks after the crash, said investigators only drained about 250ml of blue fuel from the main tank’s bladder after the crash.

“The two fuel bladder tanks were intact despite breaches of the surrounding metal tanks and there was no fire,” the report said.

“However, the fuel system was compromised in the accident and it was possible fuel escaped into the creek that flowed beneath the wreckage.”

Wilson with friend and pilot Sebastian Robinson.

The Australian has also previously revealed issues related to exemptions that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority had granted Wright and two other crocodile egg collecting operators just months before the crash.

In September 2021, CASA granted three-year instruments that allowed the operators to collect crocodile eggs with someone hanging from their piston engine powered R44 helicopters despite looming new flight rules stipulating that only safer turbine engine powered helicopters were permitted to carry a person externally for sling operations from December 2021.

In the years before the fatal crash, CASA delegates had also removed a crucial height restriction from the crocodile egg collecting authorisations, without conducting a risk assessment, making it easier for someone slung beneath a helicopter to be killed in the event of engine failure.

At the time of the crash, Mr Wright’s destroyed helicopter – registered VH-IDW – was contracted to Mick Burns’ company Wildlife Harvesting NT.

Mr Wright, a former Tourism Australia ambassador, flew to the scene immediately after the crash with Mr Burns and former senior police officer Neil Mellon.

Helicopter pilot Michael Burbidge, former police officer Neil Mellon and Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright.

Mr Wright, Mr Mellon and pilot Michael Burbidge – who first came across the crash – have since been charged with serious offences including making false statements, destroying evidence and either conspiring or attempting to pervert the course of justice, related to their alleged actions after the crash.

Mr Mellon and Mr Burbidge have not publicly indicated how they will plead but Wright has consistently said that he “looks forward to clearing his name”.

“Matt will be pleading not guilty and strenuously defending the charges,” his spokesperson said earlier this year.

The three men, who are all on bail, will face a committal hearing next month.

The ATSB conducts independent ‘no-blame’ investigations for the purpose of improving transport safety and its findings are inadmissable in criminal and civil proceedings.

Multiple agencies including NT Police and NT WorkSafe continue to investigate the crash.